Voters in Sergipe who missed the first round of Brazil's 2026 elections, held on October 4, have until December 3, 2026 to justify their absence to the Electoral Justice system. For the second round, scheduled for October 25 wherever a runoff is held, the deadline set by Brazil's Superior Electoral Court (TSE) is January 8, 2027. Requests can be submitted through the e-Título mobile app, the online Electoral Self-Service portal or an electoral office. After election day, supporting documents explaining the absence are required. A separate justification is needed for each round.
These dates appear in TSE Resolution No. 23,751/2026 and guidance from the Regional Electoral Court of Sergipe (TRE-SE). The requirement applies to people for whom voting is compulsory and who neither voted nor justified their absence on election day. People for whom voting is optional, such as those aged 16 or 17, people over 70 and people who cannot read or write, do not have to submit a justification.
What are the deadlines for justifying an absence?
| Round | Voting date | Deadline for justification after election day |
|---|---|---|
| First round | October 4, 2026 | December 3, 2026 |
| Second round, if held | October 25, 2026 | January 8, 2027 |
As of October 22, 2026, the first round has already taken place and the second remains scheduled for October 25. A justification for one absence does not cover the other. Anyone who misses both rounds must submit two requests, each within its respective deadline.
How can you justify your absence through e-Título or online?
- Choose a channel: open the official e-Título app on your phone or visit the TSE's Electoral Self-Service portal.
- Select the justification service: find the option for justifying an absence and identify the election and round you missed. In the online portal, enter your personal details exactly as recorded in the electoral register.
- Explain your absence: state the reason and attach documents supporting it. For online submissions, the evidence must be in a format accepted by the system.
- Keep your protocol number: finish submitting the request and follow its progress. It will be forwarded to the electoral district responsible for your registration.
Submission does not mean automatic approval. An electoral judge will assess the explanation and evidence. If the request is approved, it will be recorded in your electoral history. You can also check your situation through Electoral Justice service channels.
What documents do you need?
To justify an absence after election day, you must provide evidence of why you did not vote. TRE-SE gives a medical certificate and a statement from an employer as examples. Submitting one of these documents does not guarantee approval: the electoral authority reviews the reason and the supporting evidence.
If you prefer an in-person appointment, you can go to any electoral office, complete the post-election Electoral Justification Request Form (RJE) and provide supporting evidence, an official photo ID and your voter registration document if available. To avoid an unnecessary trip, check TRE-SE's service channels first.
What if you are outside your voting municipality on the day of the second round?
On election day itself, a voter who is outside the municipality of their registered voting domicile may justify their absence using e-Título or by handing in the RJE form at an authorized Electoral Justice desk, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Brasília time. For this election-day procedure, no supporting evidence of the reason for absence is required. If submitting the paper form, you must bring an official photo ID and provide your voter registration number. A justification filed in the same municipality where the person is registered to vote is not processed as a justification based on being away from their electoral domicile.
People who miss the election-day opportunity can use the post-election channels, but they must supply supporting documents and meet the January 8, 2027 deadline for any absence from the second round.
Can someone who missed the first round vote in the second?
Yes. Missing the first round does not, by itself, bar participation in the second. According to the TSE, a person can vote on October 25 provided their voter registration is in good standing and has not been canceled or suspended. The separate obligation to justify missing the first round remains, with a December 3 deadline.
What if the justification is rejected or never submitted?
If the request is denied, the voter must settle the outstanding obligation with the Electoral Justice system, including payment of the applicable fine when required. People who do not vote, do not justify their absence and do not pay the fine lack electoral clearance and may face statutory restrictions affecting certain documents, public-sector recruitment and other procedures. As a general rule, three consecutive elections without justification or payment of fines can lead to cancellation of voter registration, with each round counted separately.
Are the rules different for voters who were abroad?
Someone registered to vote in Brazil who was abroad on election day can justify the absence through e-Título or the Electoral Self-Service portal. They may also file the request at an electoral office, with supporting documents, within 30 days after returning to Brazil. For voters registered with the Overseas Electoral District, compulsory voting applies to the presidential election.
Information checked on October 22, 2026. For residents of Aracaju or any other municipality in Sergipe, these deadlines are national, and applications and decisions follow Electoral Justice rules. Check the official service channels before sending documents or traveling to an electoral office.
