Brazil 2026 Elections: Voting Hours, Phone Rules and Ballot Order Explained

Brazil's first-round general elections take place on October 4, 2026, electing the president, state governors, senators, and federal and state deputies nationwide. A second round, if needed for the presidency or for governor races where no candidate wins a majority, is scheduled for October 25, 2026, according to Exame.

What time do polls open and close?

Voting runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Brasília time across the country, Exame reported. Because Brazil spans several time zones, local opening and closing times are adjusted so that voting starts and ends simultaneously nationwide.

Anyone already in line when the local closing time arrives is still entitled to vote, according to Exame. Vote counting and the release of results begin once polls close nationally at 5 p.m. Brasília time, TMC reported.

Can you bring a phone to vote?

Voters may carry a phone to the polling station and use it beforehand — for example, to show a digital ID — but electronic devices are barred from the voting booth itself, Gazeta do Povo reported. The ban covers smartphones, cameras, video recorders, smartwatches and smart glasses, any device the electoral authorities say could compromise the secrecy of the vote.

After a voter is identified at the polling table, the phone must be turned off and left in a spot designated by the poll worker (mesário), within sight of both the voter and the voting table, Gazeta do Povo said. The phone is returned once voting is complete.

A voter who refuses to hand over a prohibited device will not be allowed to vote at that time; the incident is recorded in the official minutes, and police may be called if necessary, according to Gazeta do Povo. A paper "colinha" (cheat sheet) listing candidate numbers is allowed inside the booth instead.

What documents do you need?

A printed voter registration card (título de eleitor) is not required on election day. Voters must present an official photo ID, such as an RG, national driver's license (CNH), passport, work card, military reserve certificate (certificado de reservista) or a recognized professional ID card, according to Meio News. These documents remain valid for voting even if their official expiration date has passed, Meio News reported.

The e-Título app can serve as the sole identification document if it displays the voter's photo, which requires prior biometric registration; otherwise, a physical photo ID is still needed, per Meio News. Birth or marriage certificates cannot be used to identify a voter at the polling station.

In what order do you vote on the electronic ballot?

The electronic voting machine (urna eletrônica) presents candidates in a fixed sequence of up to six votes: federal deputy, state (or district) deputy, senator for the first open seat, senator for the second open seat, governor, and president, according to Exame. The machine shows the candidate's name, photo, party and office before the voter confirms each choice.

• Federal deputy — voted first
• State or district deputy — voted second
• Senator, first seat — voted third
• Senator, second seat — voted fourth
• Governor — voted fifth
• President — voted last

Minimum candidacy ages, for reference

These age thresholds, reported by Exame, apply to candidates and are unrelated to the minimum voting age, which Brazilian electoral law sets separately.