Elections 2020: Know the Rules and Know What Candidate and Voter Can and Can’t Do | Elections 2020

Ninety-five cities have more than 200,000 voters and, therefore, they can have a second round to define the mayor if, in the first, none of the candidates obtains an absolute majority (more than half of the valid votes).

The court estimates that 750,000 candidates will run for mayor and councilor; there are no municipal elections in the Federal District.

According to the original calendar of the Electoral Justice, the first round was scheduled for October 4 and the second for October 25. But, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the National Congress decided to postpone the elections.

• Elections 2020: electoral calendar dates

It will be the first election in which the parties will not be able to form alliances to compete for seats in city councils, only for city councils.

See below which rules will apply to the 2020 municipal elections.

• First turn: November 15
• Second round (when applicable): November 29

• Mayor
• Deputy mayor
• Councilor

• Candidates for mayor – they can form coalitions (alliances) with other parties to contest elections.
• Candidates for councilors – Coalitions are prohibited for proportional elections (in this year’s election, for councilors).

• Cota – Each party must reserve the minimum quota of 30% for affiliated women to stand for election.
• Minimum age – The minimum age to be elected is 21 years for mayor or deputy mayor and 18 years for councilor.

• Campaign spending limits: Campaign expenses must respect a limit, which varies according to the position in dispute, the city and the electoral turn. The candidate who exceeds the maximum limit will be sanctioned with a fine and may be responsible for abuse of economic power. These limits are the same as in 2016, adjusted for inflation, measured by the Broad Consumer Price Index (IPCA). São Paulo is the city with the highest spending limit: almost R $ 51.8 million for the mayoral campaign in the first round and R $ 20.7 million in the second round; and R $ 3.6 million in campaigns for councilor.
• Self-financing – The candidate can use their own resources to finance themselves up to 10% of the spending limit for the position.
• Donations – Only individuals can donate for election campaigns. Donations are limited to 10% of the donor’s gross income in 2019.
• Internet Collection – Candidates will be able to raise funds through the Internet, with a credit or debit card. The donor will be identified by name and CPF. For each donation made, an electoral receipt will be issued.

• Start date – Election advertising, including on the Internet, is allowed as of September 27.
• Ride and caravan – From September 27 to 10 at night on November 14, there may be distribution of graphic material, walk, caravan or march, accompanied or not by a sound car or minibus.
• Internet publicity – It is allowed to carry out campaigns on the Internet through blogs, social networks and websites.
• Boost content on the Internet – Only parties, coalitions or candidates can promote content, which is the use of tools offered by platforms or social networks to spread the content to more users and thus have a greater reach. The use of digital and content promotion tools not provided by the Internet application provider, even if they are free, is prohibited. Nor is it allowed to hire impetus for negative publicity, such as criticism and attacks on opponents. Businesses and voters cannot push content. Both the candidates and the parties and voters are prohibited from contracting mass-content filming services.
• Telemarketing – Advertising through telemarketing is prohibited at any time, as well as mass activation of instant messages without the consent of the recipient.
• Radio and television advertising – Free electoral advertising on radio and television for the first round will run from October 9 to November 12. Any type of paid advertising on radio and television is prohibited.
• ‘Cinematic’ propaganda – No special effects, montages, tricks, computer graphics, or cartoons may be used in radio and television election advertising.
• Election advertising in the press – From September 27 to the day before the elections (November 13), paid disclosure in the written press and reproduction on the internet of the printed newspaper are allowed.
• Crime of honor or image – It is a crime to directly or indirectly hire a group of people to post messages or make comments on the Internet to offend the honor or image of a candidate, party or coalition. Anyone hired to do this is also committing a crime.
• Advertising prohibited on the street – Advertising of any nature (including pictures, signs, posters, easels and dolls) is prohibited in places such as cinemas, clubs, stores, shopping malls, temples, gyms and stadiums, even if they are privately owned. The ban extends to streetlights, road signs, flyovers, walkways, bridges and bus stops, trees, walls, and fences.
• Advertising allowed on the street – It is allowed to place banners in the street, as long as they do not obstruct the transit of people and vehicles, between 6 and 22 hours. Adhesive glue (50cm x 50cm) is also allowed on cars, motorcycles, trucks, bicycles, and residential windows.
• Vehicle advertising – It is forbidden to “wrap” the car (cover it completely with adhesive) with electoral propaganda. At most, the rear windshield can be adhesive, as long as the adhesive is micro-perforated, or placed in other adhesive positions that do not exceed half a square meter.
• Gift distribution – During the electoral campaign, the candidate or committee is prohibited from making and distributing to voters T-shirts, key chains, caps, pens, gifts, baskets of basic food or other goods.
• Outdoor – Election advertising on billboards, including electronic ones, is prohibited.
• Speakers – The use of loudspeakers or sound amplifiers is allowed from September 27 to November 14 between 8 am and 10 pm. However, the equipment cannot be used within 200 meters of places such as the headquarters of the Executive and Legislative Powers, barracks and hospitals, as well as schools, public libraries, churches and theaters (when they are in operation).
• Voting Cables – The hiring of electoral cables is allowed, but respecting some criteria according to the number of voters in the municipality.
• Rallies – Rallies and the use of stereos will be allowed from September 27 to November 12 between 8 a.m. and midnight, except for the campaign closing rally, which can continue until 2 a.m.
• Electric trio – The use of electric trios in campaigns is prohibited, except for the sound of rallies. The circulation of cars and minitrios sound is allowed in rallies, marches, caravans and walks, but provided that the limit of 80 decibels is observed, measured seven meters from the vehicle.
• Showmício – It is prohibited to carry out promotional shows for candidates, as well as the presentation, paid or not, of artists in order to animate rallies and electoral meetings.

• What can you use – At any time, voters can wear flags, pins, stickers, T-shirts, and other similar adornments as a way of expressing preference for a political party or candidate.
• Prison – As of November 10, no voter may be arrested or detained, except in flagrante delicto, or by virtue of a criminal conviction for a heinous crime, or for lack of respect for safe conduct.

• Criterion – Debates promoted by radio or television channels are allowed, with the participation of candidates from parties with representation in the National Congress of at least five parliamentarians.
• Deadlines – November 12 is the last day for the debates, and the extension is allowed until 7 in the morning of November 13.

• Activities allowed – Until 10:00 p.m. on November 14, there may be distribution of graphic material, walk, caravan, march or sound car.
• ‘Santinhos’ – Throwing “santinhos” or propaganda material at the polls or in the surrounding streets, even on the eve of elections, constitutes irregular advertising, subjecting the offender to a fine. The beneficiary candidate who has knowledge of the practice may also be sanctioned.

• Use of mask – Mandatory (anyone arriving at the voting table with their face uncovered may be barred from entering).
• Gel alcohol – voters should rub alcohol gel on their hands before and after voting.
• Voting time – the voting period has been extended. It will be from 7 am to 5 pm, with preferential hours from 7 am to 10 am for people over 60 years of age.
• Pen – The TSE recommends that voters bring their own pen to sign the ballot and that the voter spend the minimum time necessary in the section.
• Crimes – It is a crime, on Election Day, to use loudspeakers and sound amplifiers or to promote a demonstration or parade of vehicles; voter registration or exit ballot; disclosure of any type of propaganda by political parties or their candidates; Publish new content or enhance content in Internet applications (previously published applications and content can be kept running).
• Silent demo – On Election Day, individual and silent expressions of voter preference for the use of T-shirts, flags, pins and stickers are allowed.
• Crowd of followers – Crowds of people in standard clothing are prohibited until the end of voting time.