Can Poll Workers Take Your Phone at Brazil's Elections?

As Brazil's 2026 general elections approach, with the first round set to take place in just one day, election authorities have moved to clarify a frequently asked question: can a poll worker confiscate a voter's mobile phone?

According to the guidance circulating ahead of the vote, phones are prohibited inside the voting booth, the enclosed and private space where citizens cast their ballot using Brazil's electronic voting machine.

If a voter attempts to bring a phone into the booth, a poll worker is authorised to confiscate the device temporarily, returning it once the voting process has been completed.

This measure is designed to safeguard the secrecy of the vote, a principle that prevents voters from proving or publicising how they voted.

Without such safeguards, voters could, in theory, be pressured, bribed, or coerced into showing proof of their choice, undermining the fairness of the electoral process.

Photography or video recording inside the booth is similarly forbidden, for the same reason.

Brazil has used electronic voting machines for decades, and the devices are generally regarded as efficient and straightforward for voters to operate.

In addition to clarifying the phone rule, election authorities have also addressed another common area of confusion: the order of voting for different political positions.

Since voters are asked to choose candidates for multiple offices during a single session at the machine, understanding this sequence in advance can make the process faster and less confusing.

To address these questions, a practical cheat sheet has been published summarising the rules for the 2026 elections, including both permitted and prohibited actions at the polling station.

The guide is intended to help the public prepare ahead of the first round, reducing uncertainty and potential delays at polling stations nationwide.

With polls opening tomorrow, officials are urging voters to review such guidance beforehand, ensuring they understand both the rules around personal devices and the correct sequence of choices they will need to make at the voting machine.

Clear communication of these regulations is seen as essential to maintaining public trust in the electoral process and ensuring a smooth voting day for millions of Brazilians.