Neither Bolsonaro nor Lula: Brazil’s Undecided and Abstaining Voters May Determine the Election – WTOP News
More than 33 million voters stayed home in the first round, and polls show about 11% were undecided before the runoff, Datafolha said.
- Neither Lula nor Jair Bolsonaro secured more than 50% during Sunday's first round, forcing a runoff scheduled for Oct. 25. Both candidates now compete for millions of undecided voters and those who abstained or cast blank ballots.
- High polarization and economic frustration defined the first round, as more than 33 million citizens—21% of the electorate—abstained. Many voters in Brazil feel alienated by both political forces, leading nearly 6 million to cast blank or spoiled votes.
- Bolsonaro gained an advantage securing the endorsement of Ronaldo Caiado, who garnered around 2.6 million votes on Tuesday. Voters remain divided, citing rising costs like gasoline, which surged to 6.54 reais in September 2026.
- Campaigners are hyperfocused on winning over undecided voters like 19-year-old Ana Beatriz Bon Raggio and 21-year-old Alexandre Moreira. Both citizens remain conflicted as they weigh the candidates' positions against economic hardship and polarization.
- Brazil's electoral court president Kassio Nunes Marques said the 20% abstention rate is "not ideal," vowing to intensify mechanisms to boost turnout before Oct. 25. The final result remains uncertain as voters weigh economic woes against political polarization.
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16 Articles
Neither Bolsonaro nor Lula: Brazil's undecided and abstaining voters may determine the election
Ana Beatriz Bon Raggio is not persuaded by either left-leaning Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva or far-right Sen. Flavio Bolsonaro ahead of the second round of the presidential election on Oct. 25.
Neither Bolsonaro nor Lula: Brazil's undecided and abstaining vot
Associated Press (AP) — Ana Beatriz Bon Raggio is not persuaded by either left-leaning Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva or far-right Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro ahead of the second round of the presidential election on Oct. 25. “The right mixes religion and faith, whereas I think those things should be separate, while (Lula’s) Workers’ Party has robbed the country,” said Bon Raggio, a 19-year-old studying theater in Rio de Janeiro, while …
Neither Bolsonaro nor Lula: Brazil’s undecided and abstaining voters may determine the election – WTOP News
Associated Press (AP) — Ana Beatriz Bon Raggio is not persuaded by either left-leaning Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva or far-right Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro ahead of the second round of the presidential election on Oct. 25. “The right mixes religion and faith, whereas I think those things should be separate, while (Lula’s) Workers’...
Proceso
Independent EspañolThe percentage of abstention is the highest since 1998 for a first round. The lack of participation in the first round has been slowly increasing since 2006, according to data from the Brazilian electoral court. Not voting in the country carries a small fine, since participation is mandatory for literate citizens aged 18 to 70.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 46% of the sources lean Left, 46% of the sources are Center
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