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Understanding voting

Why vote?

Summary

Hesitant about voting? Let us explain why this action is so important.

Provincial

Voting means:

You'd like to vote, but...

  • You lack information on candidates and political parties
  • You don’t have enough time
    • On election day, your employer must provide you four consecutive hours to vote, between 9:30 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. This does not take into account the time you are normally allowed for meals.
    • Advance voting gives you more flexibility on when you can vote. Check the dates (there are several) and hours of operation of the advance polling stations on the notice we sent at the beginning of the election period.
  • You are currently outside your electoral division
    • You can vote for a candidate of your electoral division in the electoral division where you are during the five day voting period at the office of the returning officer. All you need to do is visit the office of the returning officer.
  • You’ve never voted
    • Voting in elections is a good habit. Your participation helps maintain the health of our democracy.
    • To find out how the voting process works, see the description of an election in The steps to voting.

 Other voting options may also be available to you.

Municipal

Voting means expressing your opinion on the issues that matter to you and the decisions that affect your life.  

You are choosing the person who will defend your interests. You are helping to keep democracy alive. 

Parks, outdoor rinks, arenas, public pools, bus shelters, community centres, recreational centres, libraries, etc.; all these places you visit are managed by municipalities. They are therefore recognized as local governments.

  • More than 1,100 municipalities in Québec hold elections.
  • They administer more than $15 billion a year.
  • Nearly 60% of public infrastructure is under their responsibility.

You would like to vote, but...

School

Other resources

The Charter of the French language and its regulations govern the consultation of English-language content.

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