Brazil's Superior Electoral Court (TSE) has created a National Climate Situation Room to monitor how extreme weather events could affect the 2026 elections. The unit will track risks such as heavy rain, flooding, drought and other phenomena that could disrupt voting across the country.
The room was formally established under Ordinance TSE No. 527/2026, published on Thursday, August 20, in the Electronic Justice Gazette. The TSE said the goal is to anticipate problems and help ensure voting takes place safely and without interruption, even in emergencies.
Daily monitoring
The room will track weather forecasts, flood alerts and other natural disaster warnings on a daily basis. That information will be used to identify the most vulnerable areas and determine which polling stations could be affected.
Officials will also assess risks to electronic voting machines, the buildings used for voting, the transport of election materials, electricity supply and communication systems. Based on this monitoring, the team may issue bulletins, risk maps and reports, and can recommend emergency measures.
What measures could be taken
Possible steps include designating backup polling locations, creating emergency routes to transport voting machines and materials, and reinforcing communication systems.
In areas facing power supply problems, the room could issue guidance on using the batteries built into voting machines. Alternative communication systems, including satellite links, could also be deployed where needed. The structure may also recommend specific measures for more vulnerable regions, including indigenous areas, if weather conditions make it harder to reach polling sites.
Relocation or delay needs a formal decision
In extreme situations, changes to polling locations or other measures could be proposed to protect the safety of voters and election staff.
However, any postponement of voting in an area hit by a disaster would not be automatic. The TSE said that decision would rest with the competent authority and would have to follow the rules set out for the elections.
Agencies working together
The National Climate Situation Room will be coordinated by the TSE's Directorate of Strategic Affairs and will include representatives from different areas of the court.
Specialized agencies in climate monitoring and disaster response will also take part, including 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 from Brazil's Regional Electoral Courts and other bodies with relevant technical expertise may also join the room's activities.
