2026 elections: See the main dates for voters, parties and candidates
The Superior Electoral Court (TSE) estimates that at least 150 million Brazilians will be able to vote in the first round of the general elections, scheduled for October 4th. On that day, voters go to the polls to choose president of the Republic, governors, senators, federal, state and district deputies. The second round is scheduled for October 25th and may take place to choose the heads of federal and state Executives.
Title regularization
Those who have not yet obtained their first title or need to resolve disputes with the Electoral Court have a deadline of May 6, 2026. The procedure can be done online, on the websites of the Regional Electoral Courts, without the need to appear in person in most cases.
Tarcísio inaugurates the election year with a video in which he calls for ‘PT out’
Posting occurred one day after the British magazine The Economist stated that the governor would be the most viable right-wing name to contest the Planalto against Lula
Discompatibilization
Before the campaign takes to the streets, the rule obliges executive office holders who wish to run for another role to leave their post up to six months before the election. In practice, this brings forward the start of the electoral race to April 2026, when pre-candidacies leave the field of speculation and start to materialize.
After this deadline, governors, ministers and secretaries interested in running for new positions need to formalize their removal, making public a decision that, until then, has usually been handled behind the scenes. This is the moment when the political chess begins to organize itself more clearly.
Party window
Federal, state and district deputies will have a specific period to change parties without risk of losing their mandate due to party infidelity. The so-called party window takes place between March and April, functioning as a thermometer of political forces and strategies for the following election.
Party conventions
To compete, it is mandatory to be affiliated with a party and have your name approved at a convention. Party conventions are scheduled to take place between July 20 and August 5, 2026, a stage in which parties formalize candidacies and close alliances.
Registration of applications
Once the conventions are concluded, parties and federations have until August 15th to submit to the Electoral Court the register of candidates who will contest the election.
Start of the campaign
Election propaganda will be released from August 16, 2026, both on the streets and in the digital environment. Free election hours on radio and television begin 35 days before the day before the election, according to the official calendar of the Electoral Court.
