Starting this Sunday, August 16, the electoral campaign for the 2026 general elections officially begins, in which Brazilians will choose state deputies, federal deputies, senators, governors and a president. Free electoral advertising on radio and TV begins on August 28th.
According to the Electoral Court calendar, from August 16th, propaganda in the streets, events such as rallies and walks and the distribution of campaign material, such as "saints", will be allowed.
From this date onwards, advertising on the internet is also permitted. Until October 1st, candidates can circulate paid or boosted electoral propaganda on the internet. On the other hand, from the 16th onwards, so-called electoral polls, those carried out on websites or social networks, are prohibited.
The parties had until August 15th to register their candidates' candidacies, which were defined during the party conventions, which ended on August 5th. From now on, a candidate can only be replaced by another in specific cases, such as death or rejection of the candidacy.
2026 election calendar:
July 20th to August 5th: Party conventions
August 15: Last day to register applications
August 16: Election propaganda begins on the streets and on the internet
August 28: Start of free electoral propaganda on radio and TV
September 19: Candidates cannot be detained or arrested, unless in flagrante delicto
October 3rd to 5th: Total ban on transport of weapons and ammunition by collectors, shooters and hunters (CACs) throughout the national territory
October 4: First round of elections
October 9: Start of free electoral advertising on radio and TV in the event of a second round
October 24th to 26th: New total ban on the transport of weapons and ammunition by collectors, shooters and hunters (CACs) throughout the national territory
October 25: Second round of elections
How is the scene in Ceará?
The dispute for the government of Ceará has eight names announced as candidates. g1 listed, in alphabetical order, the names running for governor in the state. They are: Ciro Gomes (PSDB), Danilo Soares (Democrat), Delegado Huggo (Mission), Elmano de Freitas (PT), Ieri Braga (PCO), Serley Leal (UP), Vera Lúcia (Novo) and Zé Batista (PSTU).
The latest Quaest survey, released by g1, showed that Ciro and Elmano are competing separately for the government of Ceará: in the stimulated scenario, the one in which the candidates' names are presented to voters, Ciro appeared with 43% of voting intentions, while the current governor Elmano de Freitas appeared with 33%.
After the conventions, Pedro Brito (Novo), announced as a candidate for governor, left the ticket, being replaced by Vera Lúcia (Novo), who would previously run as vice president.
The race for the senate in Ceará also has eight names announced by the parties. g1 listed, in alphabetical order of presentation, the names applying for the two vacancies in the state. They are: Alcides Fernandes (PL), Captain Wagner (União), Catarina Matos (UP), Cid Gomes (PSB), General Theofilo (Novo), Lino Alves (PCO), Luizianne Lins (Rede) and Reginaldo Ferreira (PSTU).
