Brazil Prepares for 2026 Presidential Election Second Round with Over 158 Million Voters

The second round of Brazil's 2026 presidential election is scheduled for Sunday, October 25, where approximately 158 million Brazilians will cast their votes to choose the nation's next president. The main contenders are Senator Flávio Bolsonaro (PL-RJ), who leads with 47.03% of valid votes from the first round, and the incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT), who holds 45.16%. Alongside the presidential vote, six states will conduct their gubernatorial runoffs, and seven cities will vote for mayors.

Voting will be open from 8 AM to 5 PM Brasília time. Voters are required to present an official photo identification such as an identity card or driver's license. The Tribunal Superior Eleitoral (TSE) advises citizens to verify their polling locations prior to the election to avoid confusion on voting day due to misinformation circulating on social media.

To assist voters, the TSE offers several official resources. The free e-título app, available for Android and iOS, enables voters to easily find their polling station by entering personal information and selecting the option “where to vote.” The app also provides electoral zone details and directions to the voter’s location. Additional services, including checking voting locations, are available through Autoatendimento Eleitoral at TSE and regional electoral tribunal offices. For immediate queries, voters can use ChatVote, an AI-powered virtual assistant on the TSE website, which helps clarify electoral questions.

The election marks the tenth presidential vote since Brazil's 1988 Constitution, with this second round being the eighth in history. The first round saw a high abstention rate of 21.08%, representing 33.5 million non-voters, which electoral authorities urge to reduce this time around. Official election results are expected the same evening, with the president-elect commencing the term on January 5, 2027.