Brazil 2026 elections see 30% drop in candidate registrations

The registration period for Brazil’s 2026 general elections has concluded, revealing a 30% decrease in the total number of candidates compared to 2022. The total number of registered candidates stands at approximately 20,501, down from 29,262 in the previous cycle. Experts attribute this decline to new electoral rules, including the performance clause and the impact of party federations, which have encouraged mergers and reduced the number of small parties.

Demographic data from the Superior Electoral Court (TSE) highlights several shifts in candidate profiles. Black and mixed-race candidates (pretos and pardos) represent nearly 50% of the total registrations, a figure that aligns closely with Brazil’s national census. However, this representation is less pronounced in high-level executive roles, such as the presidential race, where only 23% of candidates identified as Black.

Women constitute roughly 35% of the candidates, remaining a minority despite legislative efforts to increase participation. Additionally, the 2026 election is the first to require the declaration of LGBTQIA+ identity in registration, with 407 candidates—approximately 2% of the total—identifying as such.

In the race for the Presidency, 13 candidates have officially requested registration, including incumbent Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, and former Governor Romeu Zema. The TSE is currently processing these requests to verify eligibility.