Brazil Votes in Tight Presidential Race Between Lula and Flavio Bolsonaro

Brazilians began voting Sunday in a presidential election that polls show as a technical tie between incumbent Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Senator Flavio Bolsonaro. More than 155 million citizens are eligible to choose the president, governors, senators, and federal and state deputies. Voting runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Brasilia time, with results expected to start appearing shortly after polls close.

Lula voted in Sao Bernardo do Campo alongside Vice President Geraldo Alckmin and allies Fernando Haddad, Simone Tebet, and Marina Silva. He called the day "glorious for the country" and dismissed Saturday's polls, saying the only survey that matters is the ballot box. He framed the choice as between strengthening democracy or "barbarie."

“The only poll that matters will happen today at 5 p.m. when the ballot box opens in this country.”

Flavio Bolsonaro cast his ballot in Rio de Janeiro's Vila Isabel neighborhood, accompanied by his wife Fernanda and Rio gubernatorial candidate Douglas Ruas. He claimed internal tracking shows a "revolt vote" consolidating in his favor and vowed to end an "era of delay" and guarantee press freedom if elected. He accused Lula allies of electoral interference.

Other candidates including Ronaldo Caiado, Augusto Cury, Romeu Zema, and Renan Santos also voted Sunday morning. Sao Paulo state decreed free public transit on metro, trains, and buses from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. to facilitate voter access. The Superior Electoral Court standardized voting hours nationwide in 2021 so results can begin simultaneously after 5 p.m.