Rio de Janeiro Governor Race May Proceed Without Runoff as Former Candidate Drops Appeal

Brazil's electoral prosecutors endorsed former Rio governor Anthony Garotinho's withdrawal of his court appeal on October 5, potentially eliminating the need for a gubernatorial runoff scheduled for October 25. With Garotinho's 274,411 annulled votes removed from the count, Liberal Party candidate Douglas Ruas would secure 50.88% of valid votes, sufficient to win outright without a second round. A Superior Electoral Court judge must still formally accept the withdrawal, though the left-wing PSOL party has contested the move and requested that Garotinho's votes remain counted.

Brazil's electoral system requires candidates to secure more than 50% of valid votes to win in the first round; otherwise, the top two advance to a runoff. Anthony Garotinho, barred from running under Brazil's Clean Slate Law due to a 2018 conviction, had his votes provisionally annulled by the Superior Electoral Court. His third-place finish with 3.17% of votes proved decisive: removing his 274,411 votes from the total would push Douglas Ruas above the 50% threshold needed for an outright victory.

The case hinges on formal court acceptance of Garotinho's withdrawal. Justice Floriano de Azevedo Marques has discretion to decide alone or refer the matter to the full court. Brazil's left-wing PSOL party has challenged the withdrawal, arguing Garotinho's votes should remain counted, creating legal uncertainty that could delay any final resolution.