Datafolha: voters chose to vote for governor, senator and deputies earlier

Electronic ballot box — Photo: TSE

Datafolha research released this Friday (9) points out that, compared to previous elections, Brazilians decided their vote for governor, senator and deputies earlier in 2026.

The majority of voters chose their candidates at least a month before the election. For the position of governor, the index rose from 63% (in 2022) to 69% (in 2026). In relation to senators, it increased from 50% to 57%. For federal deputies, it went from 50% to 55%. Finally, in the case of state deputies, it went from 49% to 55%.

The presidential dispute had a more subtle movement: in 2022, 81% had defined their vote at least one month before the election; this year, the index reached 84%.

The survey also showed that, in general, the number of people who left their choice until the day before or on the day of voting fell. In 2022, for the positions of senator and federal deputy, 25% decided at the last minute; this year, it fell to 20%. For governors, it dropped from 17% to 14%. As for state deputies, the drop was from 26% to 21%.

See when voters decided their vote in the 2026 election:

Vote for governor:

At least 1 month before: 69%

15 days before: 9%

One week before: 7%

The day before: 4%

On election day: 10%

Vote for senator:

At least 1 month before: 57%

15 days before: 11%

One week before: 11%

The day before: 6%

On election day: 14%

Vote for federal deputy:

At least 1 month before: 55%

15 days before: 12%

One week before: 12%

The day before: 7%

On election day: 13%

Vote for state representative:

At least 1 month before: 55%

15 days before: 12%

One week before: 13%

The day before: 7%

On election day: 14%

Vote for president:

At least 1 month before: 84%

15 days before: 5%

One week before: 3%

The day before: 3%

On election day: 5%

The research was commissioned by TV Globo and the newspaper "Folha de S.Paulo" and interviewed 2,520 people aged 16 or over on the 6th and 7th of October. The margin of error is 2 points plus or minus and was registered under code BR-02949/2026 at the Superior Electoral Court (TSE).