Wicked Local.com - Dembrowski "Impressed' By Brazilian Voting System

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By Tony Schinella

Earlier today, about 12,000 Brazilian nationals were in Framingham to vote in their presidential election. The polling location was at Framingham High, with nationals from around New England, participating in the vote.

Gerry Dembrowski, the Republican candidate for the 7th Congressional District, was on-hand to view the process. The Brazilian nationals were able to vote by showing an ID proving they were a national. After going into the voting booth to cast a ballot, the votes are then sent to Brazil, in real time, according to poll watchers. Dembrowski suggested in a press release after the vote that a similar process should be used for American troops voting overseas.

"Our current process of absentee ballots is archaic," Dembrowski stated. "Too often our military votes are disqualified and their votes are not counted for important elections. The irony is that we have our people fighting to protect others in overseas elections while we cannot protect their right to vote in our elections."

The candidate, according to spokesman Joseph Manzoli, was interviewed locally by Fox25 and a Brazilian television station, covering the voting.Dembrowski said he was "impressed" by the turnout: "They obviously cherish their right to vote."

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