The Brazilian Superior Electoral Court (TSE) has launched a National Climate Situation Room to monitor potential impacts of extreme weather on the 2026 general elections.
The unit, created by TSE Ordinance No. 527/2026 published on August 20, 2026, will track daily weather forecasts, flood alerts and other natural hazards to identify vulnerable voting locations and assess risks to electronic voting machines, venues, transport, power supply and communications.
It will produce risk bulletins, maps and reports, and may recommend emergency measures such as alternate voting sites, emergency transport routes and backup communication systems, including satellite links.
Operational Coordination
The room will be coordinated by the TSE’s Strategic Affairs Directorate and will include specialists from the National Institute of Meteorology (Inmet), the National Center for Monitoring and Early Warning of Natural Disasters (Cemaden), the National Institute for Space Research (Inpe), the National Water and Basic Sanitation Agency (ANA) and the National Civil Defense.
Representatives of the Regional Electoral Tribunals (TREs) and other technical bodies may also participate, ensuring a nationwide approach to weather‑related election risks.
Contingency Measures
In areas where power supply may fail, the unit can advise on using the batteries built into electronic voting machines and deploying alternative energy sources.
If extreme events threaten access to polling stations, especially in remote or indigenous territories, the room may propose specific measures such as mobile voting units or adjusted schedules, subject to final approval by the competent electoral authority.
Limits of Authority
The TSE stresses that any change of voting location or postponement of election day is not automatic; it requires a formal decision by the appropriate authority and must comply with existing electoral rules.
The initiative reflects growing concern that climate variability could disrupt democratic processes, and aims to safeguard the continuity of voting even under adverse conditions.