Lula narrows gap in Espírito Santo runoff, loses by single vote in Apiacá

In the second round of Brazil's 2026 presidential election in Espírito Santo state, Lula lost to Flávio Bolsonaro by a wide margin but narrowed the gap, with one city decided by a single vote. Flávio won 56.37% of the vote versus Lula's 43.63%. Lula increased his vote total by over 150,000 compared to the first round, while Flávio gained about 60,000 votes, reducing the overall difference from 383,166 to roughly 231,000 votes. In Apiacá, Lula won by one vote (2,366 to 2,365), and in Fundão, Flávio won by fewer than 100 votes. Flávio won 60 of the state's 78 municipalities, down from 63 in the first round. Lula's victories were concentrated in the north, northwest, and three southern border towns, with 15 cities decided by less than a 5% margin.