Brazil elections 2026: Alcohol restrictions vary by state

For the first round of the 2026 elections in Brazil, alcohol sales and consumption restrictions, known as 'Lei Seca', vary significantly by state and municipality. Because the Superior Electoral Court (TSE) does not mandate a national prohibition, Regional Electoral Courts (TREs) and state security agencies determine local rules.

At least 14 states have implemented restrictions. Eight states—Acre, Amapá, Amazonas, Ceará, Maranhão, Pará, Piauí, and Roraima—have applied the prohibition across their entire territories. Other states, such as Bahia, Goiás, Rondônia, and Tocantins, have implemented the measure only in specific electoral zones or municipalities.

Conversely, 14 federative units, including major electoral hubs like São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Minas Gerais, will not have state-wide restrictions. In Alagoas, the state government recently revoked a previous ordinance, allowing normal commercial activity for bars, restaurants, and hotels.

Violating these local determinations can lead to charges of disobedience under the Electoral Code. The primary objective of these measures is to maintain public order and security at and near polling stations during the voting period.