1996 City Elections, with an emphasis in São Paulo reality

Abstract

This article explores the 1996 brazilian municipal elections, aiming to choose mayors and City Counsellors from january 1st on. The purpose is to investigate the relevant and large issues that frame the 1996 electoral process, begining by revealing the complex and remarkably rich "regulating block", that means the general and particular laws, statutes and judicial decisions that regulate in the present year the electoral arena. We shall discuss in this essay important and fashionable themes, just as the expense of running a campaign, regulations concerning advertising, levels of state support for political campaigns, time periods of residency and party affiliation required for candidature and a special analyse dedicated to the election day. Finally, the focus shall be the mechanism of 1996 elections, with the task of analysing doctrine and the variety of structural and legal settings in which the electoral actors are supposed to work.