Brazil goes to the polls this Sunday to choose the president of the Republic
Comadre, the time has come to turn the choice into a vote! See who is running for the Presidency, how a possible second round works and what you need to organize before leaving home.
Comadre, this Sunday, October 4, Brazilians will go to the polls to participate in the first round of the 2026 Elections. The voting for president of the Republic takes place along with the choices for state and Federal District governments, Senate, Chamber of Deputies and legislative assemblies. Throughout the national territory, the sections will operate in the period corresponding to 8 am to 5 pm Brasília time. Regional Electoral Court of São Paulo
The presidential election could be decided this Sunday or go to a second ballot. To win in the first round, a candidacy needs to receive more than half of the valid votes, excluding blank and null votes. If no one reaches this mark, the two most voted will compete in the second round on October 25. Regional Electoral Court of São Paulo
Who is running for the presidency
The dispute comes on the eve of the vote with 12 candidates, according to the list published by Folha on October 1. The report informs that Leonardo Avalanche, from the PRTB, withdrew on September 30. Folha
Check out the names, parties and numbers of the candidacies that remain in the race:
Candidate or candidatePartyNumberAugusto CuryAvante70Clariana BarãoDC27Edmilson CostaPCB21Flávio BolsonaroPL22Hertz DiasPSTU16Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva — LulaPT13Renan SantosMission14Romeu ZemaNovo30Ronaldo CaiadoPSD55Rui Costa PimentaPCO29Samara MartinsUP80Wilson GrassiDemocrata35
The numbers appear on the TSE's presidential proposals page. Elections 2026 — Superior Electoral Court
When voting for president, the voter also chooses the vice president who is part of the ticket. Among the competing pairs are Lula and Geraldo Alckmin, Flávio Bolsonaro and Alfredo Gaspar, Romeu Zema and Eduardo Girão, Ronaldo Caiado and Gilberto Kassab, as well as Augusto Cury and Júlio Delgado. Folha
The choice deserves attention to the proposals
Before confirming the vote, it is worth consulting the government plans presented to the Electoral Court. The TSE makes these documents available for public access, as well as information on candidacies and campaign accounts on DivulgaCandContas. Elections 2026 — Superior Electoral Court
Comadre, a practical way to evaluate proposals is to look at the issues that affect your family's life: health, education, safety, work, cost of living, and housing. Try to understand what each candidacy intends to do, how it intends to execute, and what commitments it assumes. Short videos and campaign phrases may arouse interest, but the decision deserves a more careful reading.
There will be six choices in the ballot box
Although the presidential election receives great attention, it will be the last stage of voting. This year, there will be two different choices for the Senate, as 54 of the 81 seats in the House will be renewed. The order will be:
OrderChooseNumber of digits1Federal deputy42State or district deputy53Senator — first vacancy34Senator — second vacancy35Governor26President of the Republic2
To choose two candidates for the Senate, write down different numbers. The recommendation of the Electoral Court is to take a paper line, following the ballot box, and check the data on the screen before confirming each vote. Regional Electoral Court of Espírito Santo
What to bring and where to vote
To identify yourself, bring an official document with a photo, such as an identity card, driver's license or passport. The e-Título can be used as identification when displaying the voter's photograph; otherwise, it is necessary to present another document with a photo.
It is also important to check the address and polling station in advance through the e-Título or the Electoral Justice services. The location may have changed since the last election. The printed title is not mandatory when the voter presents the required identification. Regional Electoral Court of São Paulo
Anyone who is in line until the closing, at 5 pm Brasília time, will have the right to vote assured. Still, organizing the trip in advance helps to avoid rushing. noticias.uol.com.br
Cell phone stays outside the booth
The phone can help in the presentation of digital documents before the poll workers, but it cannot enter the voting booth. The prohibition also covers cameras and other equipment capable of compromising the secrecy of the vote. Follow the guidance of the table to leave the device before going to the ballot box.
Photographing or filming the vote is not allowed. Therefore, the candidates' numbers must be written down on paper. Regional Electoral Court of Espírito Santo
Political preference can be expressed, within the rules
Individual and silent demonstration is allowed, including through t-shirts, stickers, pins or flags. However, approaching voters to ask for votes, distributing propaganda or trying to influence choices on election day can characterize ballot box stuffing.
Collective or noisy demonstrations and agglomerations with standardized elements that characterize electoral mobilization until the end of voting are also prohibited. Superior Electoral Court
Unable to attend? See the justification
Those who are outside the electoral domicile can justify their absence on Sunday itself by e-Título or at the points intended for receiving the justification.
After the election, the deadline to justify the absence in the first round ends on December 3, 2026. In this situation, it will be necessary to present documentation proving the reason, subject to analysis by the Electoral Court. Each round requires its own justification. Superior Electoral Court
How to follow the result
The disclosure of the results can be followed after 5 pm, through the official channels of the Electoral Court. The TSE results portal allows you to consult the count. tse.jus.br
During the count, pay attention to the difference between partial results and completion of the count. Before sharing a message announcing victory, check the source and time of the update.
Comadre's message: awareness in choice and respect in coexistence
Comadre, the vote belongs to each person. We can talk about proposals, disagree and defend our ideas firmly, preserving politeness and respect.
In line, be patient with those who need more time. Treat poll workers with cordiality. At home and on social networks, avoid offense and do not pressure anyone to reveal their choice.
This Sunday, take your document, your sketch and a thoughtful decision. Democratic participation gains strength when information and respect go together.