This article presents partial results of an ample research on the municipal elections in the state of Maranhão in 2008. We focus on the following aspects of the electoral dynamic: 1) the relevance assumed by the so called "judicial battles" in the electoral disputes; 2) the media's constructive work on "cases" involving possible "cancellation" of candidate registration; 3) the role of lawyers and Law practices specializing in "electoral law" in campaign teams working in specific municipalities in the state; 4) the use made by the members of factions of the processes which were passing through the electoral law courts. The sources of information used were interviews done with lawyers, candidates and campaign managers as well as an analysis of the campaign "coverage" by the newspapers O Estado do Maranhão and Jornal Pequeno during the electoral process.
municipal elections; media; judicial battles and factions; state of Maranhão