The 2024 Porto Alegre mayoral election took place on 6 October 2024. Voters elected a mayor, a vice mayor, and 36 councillors. The incumbent mayor, Sebastião Melo, a member of the Brazilian Democratic Movement (MDB), was elected in 2020 for his first term and ran for reelection.
The mayor's term will begin on 1 January 2025 and end on 31 December 2028.
Background 2020 election The last mayoral election in Porto Alegre, held in 2020, resulted in the victory of the lawyer and politician Sebastião Melo in the second round. Melo obtained 370,550 votes (54.63% of the valid votes) against the 307,745 votes (45,37% of the valid votes) obtained by his opponent, Manuela d'Ávila (PCdoB).
Approval ratings and 2024 Rio Grande do Sul floods In a poll conducted in the end of March 2024, Melo's government was approved by 58% of the citizens of Porto Alegre, making him the front-runner in most of the election scenarios. However, after the 2024 Rio Grande do Sul floods that happened in the end of April to May, that also affected the city of Porto Alegre, his lead in polls may be contested. One of the main themes of the 2024 elections will be the reconstruction of the city that is still flooded. The city's protection against floods are responsibility of the mayor of Porto Alegre and during the electoral campaign, his opponents may question his leadership and decisions that've been taken by his government during the floods.
Possible postponement There was a debate among national political forces about a possible postponement of the elections due to the floods in the state. However, the president of the Superior Electoral Court, Alexandre de Moraes, confirmed on 21 May 2024 that there is no discussions about a postponement. He states that there was no structural damage to the Regional Electoral Court of Rio Grande do Sul and to the electoral courts that would prevent the election from being held in the month of October throughout the state and in the city of Porto Alegre.
Electoral calendar +Electoral calendar announced by the Superior Electoral Court (TSE) on 3 January 20247 March – 5 AprilPeriod of the 'party window' for councillors. During this period, the councillors are able to move to other political parties in order to run for election while not losing their respective political terms.6 AprilDeadline for all parties and party federations to obtain the registration of their statutes at the Superior Electoral Court and for all candidates to have their electoral domicile in the constituency in which they wish to contest the elections with the affiliation granted by the party.15 MayStart of the preliminary fundraising campaign in the form of collective financing for potential candidates. During this period, candidates are not allowed to ask for votes and are still subjected to obey the rules regarding electoral propaganda on the Internet.20 July – 5 AugustOn this date, party conventions begin to deliberate on coalitions and choose candidates for mayors and councillors tickets. Parties have until 15 August to register their names with the Brazilian Election Justice.16 AugustBeginning of electoral campaigns on an equal basis, with any advertising or demonstration explicitly requesting for votes before the date being considered irregular and subject to fines.30 August –3 OctoberBroadcasting of free electoral propaganda on radio and television.6 OctoberDate of mayoral elections.27 OctoberDate of a possible second round in cities with more than 200,000 voters in which the most voted candidate for mayor has not reached 50% of the valid votes.
Candidates Presumptive candidates PartyMayoral candidateRunning mateCoalition Democratic Labour Party(PDT12)Juliana Brizola State Deputy of Rio Grande do Sul (2011–2023) Councillor of Porto Alegre (2009–2011) Brazil Union(UNIÃO)Thiago Duarte State Deputy of Rio Grande do Sul (2019–present) Councillor of Porto Alegre (2008; 2011–2018)United for Porto Alegre Democratic Labour Party (PDT) Brazil Union (UNIÃO) Always Forward Federation (PSDB, Cidadania) Workers' Party(PT13)Maria do Rosário Federal Deputy of Rio Grande do Sul (2003–present) Minister of Human Rights (2011–2014) State Deputy of Rio Grande do Sul (1999–2003) Councillor of Porto Alegre (1993–1999) Socialism and Liberty Party(PSOL) Tamyres Filgueira Black Movement Activist Civil ServantThe People at City Hall Again Brazil of Hope (PT, PCdoB, PV) PSOL REDE Federation (PSOL, REDE) Brazilian Socialist Party (PSB) Avante Brazilian Democratic Movement(MDB15)Sebastião Melo Mayor of Porto Alegre (2021–present) State Deputy of Rio Grande do Sul (2019–2021) Vice Mayor of Porto Alegre (2013–2017) Councillor of Porto Alegre (2001–2013) Liberal Party(PL)Betina Worm Lieutenant colonel of the Brazilian ArmyWe Are Together, Porto Alegre Brazilian Democratic Movement (MDB) Liberal Party (PL) Progressistas (PP) Democratic Renewal Party (PRD) Podemos (PODE) Republicans Social Democratic Party (PSD) Solidarity United Socialist Workers' Party(PSTU16)Fabiana Sanguiné Medical Nursing Assistant Trade Union Organizer United Socialist Workers' Party(PSTU)Régis Ethur Teacher United Socialist Workers' Party (PSTU) Brazilian Labour Renewal Party(PRTB28)Carlos Rosa Alan de Castro Businessman Christian Democracy(DC)João Alberto Morsch Civil Engineer and BusinessmanRenew Porto Alegre
Brazilian Labour Renewal Party (PRTB) Christian Democracy (DC) New Party(NOVO30)Felipe Camozzato State Deputy of Rio Grande do Sul (2023–present) Councillor of Porto Alegre (2017–2023) New Party(NOVO)Raqueli Baumbach Businesswoman Vice-president of the Sindha (Accommodation and Food Union of Porto Alegre Metropolis) New Party (NOVO)Popular Unity(UP80)Luciano Schafer National Coordinator of the Neighborhood Struggle Movement (NSM)Popular Unity(UP)Amanda Benedett University Student Popular Unity (UP)
Potential candidates Cidadania
Any Ortiz – Member of the Chamber of Deputies from Rio Grande do Sul (2023–present); Member of the Legislative Assembly of Rio Grande do Sul (2015–2023) and Councillor of Porto Alegre (2013–2014).
Withdrawn candidates Socialism and Liberty Party (PSOL) Luciana Genro – Member of the Legislative Assembly of Rio Grande do Sul (1995–2003; 2019–present) and member of the Chamber of Deputies from Rio Grande do Sul (2003–2011); she withdrew her candidacy on 2 March 2024 and will support Maria do Rosário's candidacy along with the party and the PSOL REDE Federation. Brazilian Social Democracy Party (PSDB) Nadine Anflor – Member of the Legislative Assembly of Rio Grande do Sul (2023–present). Liberal Party (PL) Comandante Nádia – Councillor of Porto Alegre (2017–present). Luciano Zucco – Member of the Chamber of Deputies from Rio Grande do Sul (2023–present) and Member of the Legislative Assembly of Rio Grande do Sul (2019–2023).
Both Nádia and Zucco's candidacies were automatically withdrawn by the Liberal Party of Porto Alegre when the party nominated Betina Worm as the running mate of Sebastião Melo.
Outgoing Municipal Chamber The result of the last municipal election and the current situation in the Municipal Chamber is given below: AffiliationMembers+/–ElectedCurrent 341 44 44 132 231 431 022 22 22 22 22 didn't exist11 11 11 11 11 101 1extinct party1 1extinct party1 3extinct party3Total36
Opinion polls
First round 2024 17 JulyThe Liberal Party (PL) nominates Betina Worm as the running mate of Sebastião Melo (MDB).Pollster/client(s)Date(s) conductedSample sizeMeloRosárioOrtizNádiaJ. BrizolaCamozzatoDuarteSanguinéOthersAbst.Undec.LeadFutura Inteligência17–21 June80028%29.2%5.8%10%2.9%5.1%3.1%15.7%1.2%27.2%29.6%8.9%4.2%6.5%5.9%17.7%2.4%25.3%28.1%9.6%10.1%7.9%4%15%2.8%12–16 June1,00225.3%15.4%3.8%4%1.4%30.6%19.5%6.2%Atlas/CNN9–14 June1,79824.8%30.2%9.1%8.5%8.2%6.7%1.3%1.3%9.9%5.4%28.3% 31.8%11.7%9.1%1.9%1.5%15.7%3.5%29 AprilA severe flood hits the state of Rio Grande do Sul and the city of Porto Alegre,resulting in the worst environmental disaster in the city's history.1 AprilNadine Anflor announces the withdrawal of her potential candidacy for mayor of Porto Alegre.Pollster/client(s)Date(s) conductedSample sizeMeloRosárioOrtizNádiaJ. BrizolaCamozzatoDuarteNadineOthersAbst.Undec.LeadRealTime Big Data29–30 March1,00040%22%5%4%5%2%2%7%15%18%41%22%5%6%2%2%7%15%19%41%26%6%2%7%18%15%42%26%8%3%3%18%16%2–22 MarchLuciana Genro withdraws her potential candidacy and decides to support Maria do Rosário (PT).Felipe Camozzato is announced as a potential candidate by the New Party (NOVO).Comandante Nádia leaves Progressistas (PP) in order to join the Liberal Party (PL).2023 Pollster/client(s)Date(s) conductedSample sizeMeloRosárioGenroJ. BrizolaDuarteNadinePimentelCunhad'ÁvilaOthersAbst.Undec.LeadFutura Inteligência22–27 November1,02433.5%4.7%0.6%13.1%34.2%14.1%20.4%36.1%9.2%6.6%9.2%2.1%0.3%8.1%14%14.4%22.1%43.6%11.4%10.7%0.5%11.3%22.6%32.2%40.5%10.4%0.8%8.8%17.6%6.1%15.9%22.9%Instituto Ver28 October–3 November1,00033%27%7%2%1%1%30%6%30%24%7%7%2%1%1%2%28%6%31%24%8%2%1%1%6%28%7%38%9%3%1%2%13%34%25%36%7%8%2%1%2%13%31%25%34%23%7%2%1%2%2%28%11%Instituto MethodusNovember60052%13%5%3%3%24%39%48%17%5%3%3%4%20%31%48%25%5%3%2%17%23%46%5%4%1%27%17%19%NovemberMaria do Rosário is announced as a potential candidate by the Workers' Party (PT).Pollster/client(s)Date(s) conductedSample sizeMeloPrettoLorenzoniJ. BrizolaFortunatiMarchezan Jr.RuasNádiaCamozzatoOthersAbst.Undec.LeadInstituto Methodus3–7 April60035%14%11%2%1%1%16.7%18%20%Paraná Pesquisas22–26 March80631.8%14.4%8.3%6.8%6.2%6.1%5.6%3.5%2.4%3.6%11.4%17.4%36.7%16.5%7.9%8.2%6.3%6.2%3.1%15%20.2%36.2%16.4%10%8.8%6.2%3%4%15.4%19.8%
Second round These are the hypothetical scenarios of a second round.
Sebastião Melo and Maria do Rosário Pollster/client(s)Date(s) conductedSample sizeMeloRosárioAbst.Undec.LeadFutura Inteligência17–21 June 202480047.2%39.5%13.3%7.7%Atlas/CNN9–14 June 20241,79843.7%38.2%18.1%5.5%RealTime Big Data29–30 March 20241,00053%33%14%20% Sebastião Melo and Luciana Genro Pollster/client(s)Date(s) conductedSample sizeMeloGenroAbst.Undec.LeadRealTime Big Data29–30 March 20241,00055%29%16%26% Maria do Rosário and Any Ortiz Pollster/client(s)Date(s) conductedSample sizeRosárioOrtizAbst.Undec.LeadFutura Inteligência17–21 June 202480040.7%35.1%24.2%5.6% Rejection of candidates In some opinion polls, the interviewee can choose more than one alternative (the so-called "multiple rejection"), therefore, the sum of the percentages of all candidates can exceed 100% of the votes in some scenarios. +Pollster/client(s)Date(s) conductedSample sizeRosárioGenrod'ÁvilaMeloDuartePimentelNadineJ. BrizolaCould votein anyoneOthersAbst.Undec.Futura Inteligência22–27 November 20231,02436.5%23.2%29.6%21%31.1%Instituto MethodusNovember 202360033%30%29%27%14%11%11%10%26%10%3%
Results Mayor
Municipal Chamber
Notes
References