8:04am
The polls have just opened across Brazil.
This is one of the most important elections in recent history.
They’re deciding between leftist president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and far-right Senator Flávio Bolsonaro. The candidates have drastically different visions for the country.
Brazil’s future hangs in the balance.
Voters head to vote in the first round election, in Rio de Janeiro, on October 4, 2026 (Michael Fox)
The story in Brazil in recent weeks has been about the tremendous out-pouring of support for President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Huge marches, rallies and campaigning around the clock.
Lula’s supporters have pulled out all of the stops ahead of this Sunday’s vote.
Three weeks ago, Lula and Trump-backed candidate, Flavio Bolsonaro faced off in Round 1 of the elections. Bolsonaro captured 47% of the voters’ backing, less than 2 points more than his opponent.
Lula has been trailing ever since. But the tide may be shifting. The latest polls show the candidates neck and neck.
This is one of Brazil’s most highly-contested votes in years, with supporters on both sides firmly behind their candidates.
As, we reported on today, the race will likely come down to the abstention rate. If Lula's campaign has encouraged enough people to hit the polls, who didn't vote in the first round, it could turn the tide.
Lula held a huge campaign rally on Paulista Avenue yesterday. Thousands were in the crowd.
Here is reporting about the rally from editor Brian Mier.
Flavio Bolsonaro has promised to tackle crime and the high cost of living, cut government spending and deepen ties with U.S. President Donald Trump.
He has also promised to pardon his father, Jair Bolsonaro, who is serving a 27-year prison sentence for planning a coup to overturn his 2022 election defeat.
“So basically, the concerns of public safety and declining purchasing power are driving this middle class to support Bolsonaro,” Anais Passos, a professor at Santa Catarina Federal University, told me.
Lula is running on years of experience in battling poverty, building social programs and development projects.
But, many Brazilian voters are frustrated with the high cost of living and concerns of rising crime rates.
The role of Meta in attempting to influence the vote has been the other top story in the race.
On the streets of Brazil, everyone is on their cell phone. Social media is the top way that people get their news and hear about the presidential candidates’ top promises.
Brazilian watchdog groups and the UN accused Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook of favoring Flavio Bolsonaro by boosting his online reach. Meta has denied interfering in the election.
We published this story this morning about Meta employees denouncing the role that role that Meta has played in the elections.
We will be updating this live election tracker throughout the day.