Majority of Brazilians Would Vote in 2026 Even if Not Mandatory, Datafolha Poll Finds

A new Datafolha poll reveals that 56 percent of Brazilians would vote in the 2026 elections even if voting were not mandatory. According to the survey, 43 percent said they would not vote, while 1 percent were unsure. This represents the highest level of voluntary voting intention ever recorded in Datafolha's historical series, which began in 1989. For comparison, only 41 percent of respondents expressed this intention in June 2015.

The willingness to vote voluntarily varies by demographic. The poll found higher rates among men (59 percent) compared to women (53 percent), and among those aged 60 or older (61 percent) compared to young people (48 percent). Economic status also played a role, as 75 percent of those with higher incomes would vote voluntarily, compared to 49 percent of those earning up to two minimum wages. Political affiliation showed similar trends, with 65 percent of Lula supporters and 62 percent of Flávio Bolsonaro supporters stating they would vote regardless of the mandate.

The survey was conducted between August 18 and 19, interviewing 2,058 people aged 16 and older across 128 municipalities. The margin of error is two percentage points, with a 95 percent confidence level. The research is registered with the Superior Electoral Court (TSE) under number BR-04496/2026.

While the center and center-left outlets focused on the data, the center-leaning Folha de S.Paulo provided broader context on the legalities of Brazilian voting. It noted that voting has been mandatory since 1932 and detailed the penalties for non-compliance, such as fines and restrictions on passports. It also outlined the general debate, noting that opponents of mandatory voting argue it encourages political bossism, while supporters believe it ensures democratic legitimacy.