Brazil Election: Corruption and Democracy Top Voter Concerns in Poll

While political elites in Brasília remain locked in high-profile feuds involving the Supreme Federal Court (STF), a new opinion poll reveals that ordinary Brazilian voters are overwhelmingly focused on candidate integrity and democratic commitment ahead of the October 2026 presidential election.

The survey, conducted by prominent research institute Quaest and released on September 6, 2026, shows that 31% of Brazilian voters view a candidate’s clean record on corruption as the most important factor in their choice for president. Commitment to democracy ranked as the second-highest priority at 28%, followed by tough measures against crime and violence at 15%. The poll, commissioned by O Globo, interviewed 2,004 people across Brazil between August 30 and September 1.

In stark contrast to the intense focus in Congress and on social media regarding ongoing judicial overreach disputes, only 2% of respondents said that being critical of the Supreme Court was a decisive factor in choosing a president. The STF has been at the center of a major institutional crisis involving allegations of corruption and procedural overreach, but the data suggests this elite-level battle has failed to resonate as a primary driver for the broader electorate.

The poll also highlighted clear ideological divisions among the supporters of the main candidates, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and right-wing Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, who are currently locked in a tight statistical race. Among self-identified "lulistas," commitment to democracy was the top priority at 29%. Conversely, among "bolsonaristas," a candidate's lack of involvement in corruption cases was the most critical factor, cited by 41% of respondents.

For foreign observers, the results underscore a persistent reality in Brazil's electoral landscape: while institutional battles dominate the daily news cycle in the capital, the average voter remains deeply concerned with fundamental issues of governance, personal safety, and systemic integrity. As the first-round vote on October 4 approaches, candidates who can successfully project a clean image and a stable vision for the country's democratic institutions are likely to hold the upper hand.