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NewsWPLG Local 10October 25, 2026Miami-Dade County

Brazilian Voters Head to Polls in Presidential Runoff Between Incumbent Lula da Silva and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro

Photo: WPLG Local 10

Brazilian voters are casting ballots on Sunday in a presidential runoff election between incumbent leftist President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and right-wing Senator Flávio Bolsonaro. The election highlights major voter concerns over corruption, the economy, and the nation's political direction, with nearly 159 million citizens eligible to vote.

ElectionsGovernmentPoliticsVoting
Read the full story at WPLG Local 10

Why It Matters

The election determines executive leadership for South America's largest nation, impacting national tax policy, cost of living, security, and international alliances.

Key Facts

  • Nearly 159 million citizens are eligible to vote across more than 94,000 polling stations in Brazil and abroad.
  • Voters are deciding between incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro.
  • Voting is compulsory in Brazil for literate citizens between 18 and 70 years old, while optional for those aged 16-18, over 70, and the illiterate.
  • Polling stations opened at staggered times on Sunday depending on regional time zones, starting as early as two hours before Brasília time in parts of Amazonas and Acre.
  • Brazil utilizes electronic voting machines, adopted in the 1990s to eliminate voting fraud.
  • Flávio Bolsonaro is facing investigations regarding corruption, money laundering, and tax evasion.
  • Lula previously served two presidential terms from 2003 to 2010 and took office again in 2023.
  • Jair Bolsonaro received 2.2 million more votes than Lula in the first round of the election.

Who's Mentioned

locationAcre“State in Brazil.”PersonEléonore Hughes“Associated Press contributor.”PersonMauricio Savarese“Associated Press contributor.”locationAmazonas“State in Brazil.”PersonRosángela da Silva“First lady of Brazil.”locationDistrito Federal“Federal district in Brazil.”PersonFernanda Bolsonaro“Wife of Flávio Bolsonaro.”locationPeru“Border country.”locationSao Paulo“City in Brazil.”PersonRoulen Azeredo“Army reservist and voter.”PersonDaniel Ortega“Regional leader reference.”PersonLuiz Inácio Lula da Silva“Current president of Brazil running for another term.”locationMato Grosso“State in Brazil.”locationSao Bernardo do Campo“City where Lula voted.”PersonJair Bolsonaro“Former president of Brazil and father of Flávio Bolsonaro.”locationRio de Janeiro“City where Flávio Bolsonaro voted.”locationBolivia“Border country.”PersonGeraldo Alckmin“Vice president of Brazil.”PersonDonald Trump“US leader and ally reference.”locationBrasil“Country holding elections.”PersonFlávio Bolsonaro“Senator and presidential candidate challenging Lula.”PersonFabianne Borges Santoro“Voter in Rio de Janeiro.”