Mario may be super, but does that mean he should be elected to office?
The Nintendo mascot was one of several fictional characters included on a ballot at a polling station during Portugal’s recent presidential election, The Associated Press reports.
It should be noted, though, that the ballot didn’t have any actual bearing on the election. It was a replica created to help children accompanying their voting parents learn about the election process.
Caterina Barbosa, who brought her 8-year-old son, Artur, to the polls with her, says, “I always like to bring him to encourage him, so that when he is 18 he doesn’t stay on the couch and also comes to vote. This is fun because this way he also feels he is voting and fulfilling his civic duties.”
Father of two João Dias adds, “It’s important for children to start to understand, when they’re younger, the responsibility, so that when they reach adulthood they can understand not only their rights but also their duties.”
Bowser could not be reached for comment.