Why a winner needs more than half of the valid votes
To be elected president or governor in the first round, a candidate needs more than half of the valid votes, known as an absolute majority. Exactly half is not enough. If no candidate tops 50%, the two most-voted candidates face off in a runoff, where whoever gets more votes wins.
Brazil Election 2026 · Published October 11, 2026 · Updated October 25, 2026 · Source: TSE
What is an absolute majority?
An absolute majority is more than half of the valid votes, that is, more than 50%. The count is based on valid votes only, leaving out blank and null votes. For that reason, a candidate with exactly half of the valid votes does not reach the absolute majority.
In the 2026 first round, Flávio Bolsonaro (PL) received 47.03% of the valid votes and Lula (PT) got 45.16%. Neither passed 50%, so both advance to the runoff on October 25, 2026.
Which offices require an absolute majority?
President and governor are elected in the first round only with an absolute majority. When no one reaches that mark, a runoff is held for these two offices, and voters in the state or across the country return to the polls.
Senators and federal deputies follow different rules. The two most-voted senators in each state are elected, with no runoff, and deputies are chosen under the proportional system.
| Office | First-round rule | Runoff? |
|---|---|---|
| President | More than half of the valid votes | Yes |
| Governor | More than half of the valid votes in the state | Yes, if no one tops 50% |
| Senator | The two most-voted candidates | No |
| Federal deputy | Proportional system, by party and federation | No |
Why does the rule exist?
The aim of the rule is for the winner of the presidency or a governorship to have more than half of the valid votes, not merely the largest share among several candidates. The rule is set out in the Federal Constitution, which governs the election of the president and the governors.
In general elections, the absolute majority is required only for president and governor. For the other offices, the Constitution and the Electoral Code set different criteria.
What happens when no one tops 50%?
The two most-voted candidates return to the polls in the runoff. Whoever gets more valid votes in this new vote wins. Since only two candidates remain, the winner always tops 50% of the valid votes.
In 2026, there is a presidential runoff across the country. For governor, there is a runoff in six states: Acre, Amazonas, Federal District, Espírito Santo, Rio Grande do Norte and Tocantins. The presidential race is at https://eleicoes2026brasil.com/segundo-turno.
If a runoff takes place, the contest is limited to the two most-voted candidates from the first round. The other candidates no longer run in that stage, and the ballot shows only the two options. As a result, voters see just two names instead of the full first-round list.
How is the percentage calculated in practice?
The percentage is the candidate's number of votes divided by the total valid votes, multiplied by one hundred. To pass 50%, a candidate needs more votes than all other candidates in the same race combined.
In the 2026 first round for president, Flávio Bolsonaro (PL) received 56,104,503 votes and Lula (PT) received 53,879,538. Neither reached more than 50% of the valid votes, so the election went to a runoff.
Sources
Federal Constitution: https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/constituicao/constituicao.htm
Superior Electoral Court (TSE): https://www.tse.jus.br
Frequently asked questions
Does exactly half of the valid votes win?
No. The rule requires more than half of the valid votes, that is, more than 50%. Exactly 50% does not reach the absolute majority in the first round.
Do blank and null votes count toward the 50%?
No. The absolute majority is calculated on valid votes, which do not include blank votes or null votes.
Does the runoff winner need to reach 50% of the votes?
There is no separate requirement. In the runoff, whoever has more valid votes between the two candidates wins, so the winner always tops 50% of the valid votes.
How many governors were elected in the first round in 2026?
Twenty-one governors were elected in the 2026 first round, and the other six states go to a runoff. The list by state is at https://eleicoes2026brasil.com/governadores.
How many valid votes are needed to win in the first round?
There is no fixed number of votes. A candidate needs more votes than all other candidates in the same race combined, which is the same as more than half of the valid votes.