Brazilians began voting in Sunday's polarizing presidential election between incumbent President Luiz Incio Lula da Silva and Flvio Bolsonaro, a contest that will determine whether the U.S. will significantly expand its growing influence in Latin America.

Polls before Sunday's vote showed the two candidates, who need more than 50% of the vote to become Brazil's next leader in January, in a neck-and-neck race.

The election pits the left-of-center veteran politician Lula against Bolsonaro, an ally of U.S. President Donald Trump and the son of imprisoned former President Jair Bolsonaro.