Brazil
South America · br
Federal presidential republic. The president is elected by majority runoff, senators by statewide contests and the Chamber of Deputies by open-list proportional representation across the states and Federal District.
Profile last reviewed July 23, 2026
Brazil combines compulsory voting for most adults with a fully electronic in-person ballot. Voters identify themselves at a polling station, often biometrically, and use a standalone voting machine. Each machine produces a signed ballot bulletin after polls close; those records can be compared with published totals and were central to the independent checks after the close 2022 election.
How voting works today
- Voting age
- 16 and over
- Voter registration
- Voter-initiated
- Identification
- Photo ID required
- Compulsory voting
- Yes
- Postal voting
- Not available
- Early voting
- Not available
- Online voting
- Not available
- Voting from abroad
- Restricted
Voting is compulsory for literate citizens aged 18 through 70 and optional for ages 16–17, people over 70 and illiterate citizens. Overseas voting is available for president and vice-president at designated locations; there is no general postal or online ballot.
How the franchise changed
Every entry records a change in who could vote, or how — expansions, restrictions and procedural reforms alike.
- 1932Expansion
The first national Electoral Code introduced women's suffrage and the secret ballot.
Women gained the right to vote in 1932 - 1985Expansion
A constitutional amendment enfranchised illiterate citizens after the end of military rule.
Constitution of the Federative Republic of Brazil - 1988Expansion
The democratic constitution made voting optional from age 16 and for people over 70 and illiterate citizens, while retaining compulsory voting for most citizens aged 18 to 70.
Constitution of the Federative Republic of Brazil - 1996Reform
Electronic voting machines were introduced in selected municipalities and subsequently expanded nationwide.
Electronic voting machine history
Safeguards on the count
- Ballot type
- Electronic only
- Post-election audit
- Ad hoc
- Election administration
- Judiciary
- Domestic observers
- Yes
- International observers
- Yes
Standalone machines are prepared through public technical ceremonies and tests. After voting, each machine prints a signed ballot bulletin containing totals but no voter choices; parties, inspectors and citizens can compare those bulletins with electronic publication. The 2022 TCU audit found no divergence in the sampled comparisons and integrity tests it performed.
Worth knowing
- The 2022 presidential runoff was the closest since Brazil's return to direct presidential elections: Lula won 50.90% of valid votes to Jair Bolsonaro's 49.10%.TSE proclaims Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Geraldo Alckmin elected
- TCU comparisons found zero differences between sampled physical ballot bulletins and the matching published electronic records.Audit of the 2022 electronic voting system
Elections in the database
- 2026Brazil 2026 General ElectionElection Watch
- 2022Brazil 2022 Presidential Election
People
- Head of stateJair BolsonaroFormer President of Brazil
- Head of stateLuiz Inácio Lula da SilvaPresident of Brazil
Sources
- Constitution of the Federative Republic of Brazil— Superior Electoral Court of Brazil
- TSE final proclamation of the 2022 presidential result— Superior Electoral Court of Brazil
- TCU audit of the 2022 electronic voting system— Federal Court of Accounts of Brazil
- OAS preliminary report after the 2022 second round— Organization of American States