Brazil Votes: The Pre-Election Landscape and Democratic Pressures

As Brazil heads toward the 2026 general elections, we are bringing together leading scholars for a series of three timely conversations about the country’s political landscape, electoral dynamics, and democratic future. Join DTD Lab faculty co-lead David Nemer, who will moderate these virtual roundtables at key moments in the electoral process: just before the first round, ahead of the second round, and immediately following the election. The first conversation in the series will examine what we should expect from Brazil’s first round of elections. Teresa Marques (PUC-RS) and Fabio de Sá e Silva (University of Oklahoma) will discuss the presidential race and the elections for Congress, exploring the forces shaping the vote and what the results could mean for Brazil’s political future. Widely seen as one of the world’s most consequential elections this year, the vote also carries important implications for Brazil’s increasingly tense relationship with the United States. Panelists Teresa Cristina Schneider Marques, Professor, Pontifical University of Rio Grande do Sul Fabio de Sa e Silva, Associate Professor of International and Brazilian Studies, University of Oklahoma David Nemer (moderator), Associate Professor of Media Studies, Digital Technology for Democracy Lab Faculty Co-Lead, University of Virginia Event information available at: https://dtdlab.virginia.edu/event/bra...