2026 elections: 20 states define governors in the first round, an increase compared to 2022

The 2026 elections have already defined the governors of 20 federation units in the first round. The number represents an increase compared to 2022, when 15 states chose their heads of state executive without the need for a new vote.

In the other states and the Federal District, the choice of governor will be made in the second round, scheduled for October 25th.

The definitions in the first round are considered one of the main thermometers of the competitiveness of state disputes. The greater the number of victories without the need for a new vote, the smaller the number of open elections tends to be for the decisive stage.

Demonstration of the voting flow for the 2026 Elections — Photo: ROBERTO CASIMIRO/FOTOARENA/ESTADÃO CONTEÚDO

States that defined the governor in the 1st round in 2026

States that defined the governor in the 1st round in 2026 — Photo: g1

Among the governors elected in the first round, some managed to renew their mandates.

This is the case of Raquel Lyra (PSD), in Pernambuco, Jerônimo Rodrigues (PT), in Bahia, and Elmano de Freitas (PT), in Ceará.

Other states had the election of candidates linked to political groups that were already in power, maintaining administrative continuity even without the direct re-election of the governor.

What has changed in relation to 2022

The comparison with the last election shows relevant changes in the command of the states.

In the 2022 elections, 15 federation units defined their governors in the first round.

The 2026 scenario was more favorable to victories in the first round than what was observed four years ago. Among the states that have already defined their governors are important electoral colleges, such as São Paulo, Minas Gerais, Bahia, Paraná, Pernambuco, Rio Grande do Sul and Ceará.

PSD and PL come out stronger

In 2022, the states that defined the dispute in the first round elected governors from parties such as PT, MDB, PSD, União Brasil, Republicans, Progressistas, PSB, Solidariedade, Novo and PL.

In 2026, parties such as PSD, PL and PT expanded their protagonism among the already defined governments, while parties such as PSB, Solidariedade and Novo disappeared from the list of winners in the first round.

See the full election results

g1 brings together the official results of the 2026 elections across the country on a special page. With data from the Superior Electoral Court (TSE), readers can consult how the vote for president of the Republic, governors, senators, federal deputies and state and district deputies turned out in each Brazilian state.

The tool also allows you to check the performance of candidates by federative unit and access maps and panels with consolidated voting numbers across the country.