This October 6th, voters from 5,569 municipalities will go to the polls to choose the mayors and councilors who will represent them for the next four years. Throughout the country, with the exception of the Federal District, voting will begin at 8 am (Brasília time) and will continue throughout the day, until 5 pm.
Brazilian legislation determines that voting is mandatory for those aged between 18 and 70 and optional for illiterate people, young people aged 16 and 17 and for everyone over 70. But it is necessary to have a voter registration card in good standing and even if the voter’s name does not appear on the voting list in the electoral zone, he or she will be able to exercise citizenship if his or her electoral data appears in the electronic ballot box register in his or her electoral zone.
Identification
According to the Superior Electoral Court (TSE), voters must appear at the polling station only with an official document with photo. e-Title, identity card, social identity, passport, professional card recognized by law, reservist certificate, work card, national driver’s license are accepted, even if the validity has expired.
It is not mandatory to take the card to vote, as long as the voter knows the voting number and place, which can be consulted on the website from the TSE or via e-Título, available free of charge in app stores. If necessary, it is possible to update the application in the virtual store, but it is important that the process is carried out by October 5th, warns the Electoral Court.
Secrecy
When voting, after identification by document and fingerprints, it is also necessary to follow some rules when going to the electronic ballot box, when the use of cell phones, cameras, camcorders, radio communication equipment or any instrument that may compromise the secrecy of the vote. Only assistive technology resources, such as hearing aids, for example, are allowed.
Crimes
The voter’s preference can be expressed on election day individually and silently through the use of flags, pins, stickers and t-shirts, but the gathering of people or the use of propaganda instruments that identify a party, coalition or federation is prohibited. by legislation. The use of loudspeakers, sound amplifiers, holding a rally or motorcade, persuasion of the electorate and exit poll propaganda are considered crimes
Throughout the national territory, it becomes a crime for collectors, shooters and hunters to transport weapons and ammunition in the 24 hours before and 24 hours after the elections, including for civilians with state possession or license. The exceptions are for agents on duty, such as those working in policing or security in penal establishments and juvenile detention units.
Justification
In municipal elections, it is not possible to vote in transit, so if the voter is abroad and belongs to an electoral zone in Brazil, other than in the Federal District, they must present an excuse for absence using the e-Título application or for the website. The deadline to present the justification is up to 60 days after the election (December 5, 2024) or 30 days after returning to Brazil.
After the voting period closes, starting at 5pm (Brasília time), the results will be announced, including blank votes, null votes and abstentions. According to the TSE, they will be made available on website the ballots sent for totalization, in addition to the corresponding tables according to the data received.