Paraíba rolls out vote‑in‑transit system, extends holiday cash aid, faces leadership amendment probe

Brazilian voters who are away from their home municipality but remain within Brazil can apply for "vote in transit" for the 2026 elections. Applications are accepted from 20 July to 20 August via the electronic voting portal or any electoral office, and are limited to capital cities and municipalities with more than 100 000 voters. Voters may choose to vote in the first round, the second round, or both, and can modify or cancel their request within the same period. Those traveling within the same state may vote for president, governor, senator and congressional seats; voters in another state may only vote for president. The system does not apply to Brazilians abroad.

The state government announced that the R$ 64 Christmas bonus for Bolsa Família will be paid to more than 600 000 Paraíba families in December 2026, continuing the benefit independently of the federal program.

A study by Transparência Brasil revealed that Paraíba received 43 % of the Republicanos party’s 2025 leadership amendments – R$ 218.4 million in total, of which R$ 95.1 million were allocated to the state – highlighting a lack of transparency similar to the former “budget secret”.

Deputy Tarcísio Jardim (PP) has formally asked the state legislature to resume stalled construction of early‑childhood creches in nine municipalities, urging the executive to finish the projects that are delaying access to preschool for hundreds of children.

Political tension continues as Deputy Hugo Motta protests a Federal Police action against PL leader Valdemar Costa Neto, while former governor Ricardo Coutinho criticises Motta’s approach to local mayors.