In this study, Singer's (1998) hypothesis that the ideological identity of the voters is a central factor in the voting decision for President is tested. The findings, based on the data analysis of four surveys carried out between 1989 and 1997, shows that there really is a mild-intensity correlation between the positioning on a left-to-right scale and the vote for President, in the case of Brazilian voters. The correlation degree, however, just like meaning given to the terms "right" and "left" and the rates of positioning on the scale, varies significantly according to the schooling voters, and weak among those with low schooling.The conclusion is that Singer's proposal for the inclusion of a ideological component seems adequate within a model which aims to account for the political behavior of a large number of the Brazilian voters, especially the ones with high schooling.
Voting behavior; Brazilian Presidential elections; Ideological identity; Brazil
