The second round of Brazil’s elections will take place on Sunday, October 25. Brazilian citizens eligible to vote in the United States, including the community in Miami, may participate. Those who do not go to the polls must justify their absence or face a fine, according to the Brazilian Electoral Court.
Runoff: Bolsonaro and Lula da Silva compete for Brazil’s presidency
Next Sunday the final electoral stage will determine who will be Brazil’s next president, in a contest between Flávio Bolsonaro of the Liberal Party (PL) and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of the Workers’ Party (PT).
The runoff was required because, under the article 77 of the Brazilian Constitution, no candidate obtained more than 50% of valid votes in the October 4 election. According to the results published by the Superior Electoral Court (TSE), Bolsonaro received 47.03% of the vote and Lula 45.16%.
When is the 2026 Brazil runoff in Miami?
According to the TSE, Brazilian citizens registered abroad may vote only for president and vice president.
For this election, 918,876 Brazilians are eligible to vote outside the country, representing a little more than 0.5% of the national register of approximately 158.7 million voters.
Polling stations are located in 186 cities abroad and operate mainly in Brazilian consulates and embassies, although they can also be set up in schools, hotels and other venues.
Flávio Bolsonaro of the Liberal Party (PL) and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of the Workers’ Party (PT) will contest Brazil’s presidency. Photomontage created with AI (Government of Brazil)
Where to vote in Miami in Brazil’s runoff
Eligible Brazilians may vote at Miami Dade College, Kendall campus, located at 11011 SW 104th St, Miami, FL 33176. Voting hours are scheduled from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (local time).
Voters can check their polling place using the e-Título app under “Onde votar” or via the Brazilian Electoral Court’s electronic services. To consult their location they should use their CPF or voter registration number, date of birth and mother’s name. On election day they must present an official photo ID.
Fine for not voting in Brazil from the United States
The fine for not voting or failing to justify an absence is up to 3.51 Brazilian reais per round, according to article 94 of Resolution No. 23,759, of March 2.
The penalty applies to each electoral day on which the voter did not participate and did not present a valid justification.
The regulation also allows the electoral judge to consider the voter’s economic situation when determining the penalty. Those who demonstrate poverty may request exemption from payment.
To regularize an outstanding electoral debt, citizens can obtain the Union Collection Guide (GRU) through the Autoatendimento Eleitoral service or at an electoral office.
Until when can absence be justified for Brazil’s runoff?
The TSE sets a 60-day period after each electoral round to submit a justification for not having voted. The deadlines for the 2026 elections are:
December 3: last day to justify absence for the first round held on October 4.
January 8, 2027: deadline to justify absence for the second round of October 25.
The request can be made via the e-Título app or the Autoatendimento Eleitoral – Título Net service on the electoral authority’s portal. In both cases, the voter must select the option to justify their absence.
It is also possible to submit the Requerimento de Justificação Eleitoral (RJE) in person at an electoral office, accompanied by documents that support the reason for the absence.
An electoral judge will review the request. If accepted, the justification will be recorded on the voter registration. If rejected, the fine must be paid.
What happens if the fine for not voting in Brazil is not paid?
Brazilian electoral law provides that absence from three consecutive elections, without presenting justifications or paying the corresponding fines, can lead to cancellation of the voter registration card.
A total of 918,876 Brazilian citizens are eligible to vote from abroad in the 2026 elections. Photomontage created with AI (Government of Brazil)
Resolution No. 23,759 also includes administrative restrictions for citizens who have outstanding obligations with the Electoral Court. These include:
Restrictions on obtaining certain identification documents
Participation in public service entrance exams
Access to certain official procedures
Requesting the certificate of electoral regularity
For Brazilians residing abroad, the regulation provides an exception related to the issuance of a new passport for identification and return to Brazil.
The restrictions do not apply in the same way to those with optional voting, to people with certain disabilities that make voting difficult, or to those whose political rights are suspended.
LA NACION
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