Comites 2026: Election Begins and Contest for Slates Opens

Italian consulates worldwide published, on September 3rd, the decrees that officially open the electoral process for the Comites (Comitati degli Italiani all'Estero) for 2026. From now on, slates interested in running and voters who intend to vote by mail have defined deadlines to comply with the steps of the official calendar.

What Changed

According to Insieme, the decrees published by Italian consulates on September 3rd launched the electoral calendar that will define the new members of the Comites, the bodies that officially represent the Italian community before consular headquarters abroad. The publication of the decrees is the formal milestone that opens the process in each consular district, involving Italian diplomatic offices in different countries.

The Comites exist to give voice to the Italian community residing outside Italy, functioning as a channel between Italian citizens abroad and consulates. The 2026 election will renew the composition of these committees, which have periodic mandates and are made up of members elected directly by Italians registered in the corresponding consular district.

More information about the progress of the electoral process and other topics related to Italy can be followed in the Italy News section of Raízes Italianas.

Main Deadlines

According to Insieme, the calendar released by consulates establishes two central deadlines for those who intend to participate in the election:

• By October 3rd: slates (liste) interested in running must comply with one of the steps considered most delicate in the process, relating to the collection of support signatures necessary for submitting candidacy to the consulate.
• By November 4th: voters who opt to vote by mail must request voting materials within this deadline, ensuring sufficient time for sending and receiving ballots before voting closes.

The signature collection stage is usually one of the most sensitive points of the Comites electoral process, as it requires mobilization of slates within the community to gather the minimum number of supporters required by consular rules within the deadline established by the decree.

Why It Matters to Descendants in Brazil

The Comites electoral process has direct relevance for Brazilians who have already obtained recognition of Italian citizenship and are registered with consulates in Brazil. Italian citizens residing in the country, including descendants who have completed the Italian Citizenship recognition process, can participate in the election both as voters and as members of slates, provided they meet the consular registration requirements set forth in the calendar.

The Comites operate in different Brazilian cities where there are Italian consular representations, serving as a bridge between the local community and the consulate on issues ranging from administrative services to cultural and social initiatives aimed at the Italian community.

For those still in the process of citizenship recognition or planning to begin searching for documents in Italy, having specialized Italian citizenship advisory services can help organize the necessary steps, including searching for certificates in Italy required to start the process. Those who already have citizenship recognized and wish to learn about daily life and community organization of Italians abroad can also follow related topics in the Life in Italy section of the portal.

With the deadlines now officially open, the expectation is that the coming weeks will see intense coordination among slates in search of necessary signatures, while consulates continue organizing the logistics for sending voting materials to voters who opt for absentee voting.

Do you want to know if you have the right to Italian citizenship? Speak with a specialized advisor.

Source: Insieme