Early Voting Guide: Essential Tips for Sunday Voters
The upcoming municipal elections in Quebec are set for Sunday, with advance voting scheduled in 847 municipalities. Here is an essential guide for voters planning to participate on this day.
Advance Voting Schedule and Locations
Advance voting is mandated by law to occur on Sunday from 12 PM to 8 PM. A few municipalities, such as Mont-Royal, Brossard, Sainte-Marthe-sur-le-Lac, and Oka, will provide advance voting on Saturday. However, none of the ten largest cities in Quebec, including Montreal and Quebec City, have followed suit.
Danielle Pilette, a municipal expert from the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), explains that advance voting allows individuals who anticipate scheduling conflicts on Election Day to participate. It has also proven popular among motivated voters who prefer to cast their ballots early.
Perceptions of Advance Voting
Gabriel Sauvé-Lesiège from Élections Québec clarified a common misconception regarding the efficiency of advance voting. Many believe it is quicker than voting on November 2. However, he points out that more voting locations are often available on the actual Election Day, leading to shorter wait times.
Voter Participation and Candidate Options
In these elections, approximately 1.6 million voters in the 847 municipalities will choose from 8,033 candidates vying for 523 mayoral and 2,786 council positions. Notably, at least 48 positions will remain vacant due to a lack of candidates.
- 1.6 million eligible voters
- 8,033 candidates available
- 523 mayoral positions
- 2,786 councilor positions
- 48 vacant positions anticipated
Participation Trends
While the overall voter turnouts for the 2021 municipal elections were low at 38.7%, specific statistics for advance voting are not readily available. In the recent 2022 provincial elections, 37% of votes were cast in advance. In contrast, during the 2023 federal elections, approximately 7.3 million Canadians voted early, reflecting a 37% turnout in advance voting.
Where to Vote
Due to the ongoing postal strike, many voters have not received their electoral notices detailing their registration and voting locations. Many cities, including Montreal, are utilizing private delivery services to send out these notices before November 2. Voters can find updated information about polling places and hours on municipal websites and the Élections Québec portal.
Alternative Voting Methods
In addition to advance voting and the general election day, there are other voting options available:
- Voting at the election office on October 24, from 4 PM to 8 PM, is mandatory for municipalities with populations over 20,000.
- Some municipalities allow for mail-in voting for individuals with property or business interests in the area.
- Mobile voting options are available for individuals with reduced mobility, scheduled on specific dates in cities like Montreal and Longueuil.
In January 2024, Élections Québec had announced a pilot project for online voting, but it was canceled four months later due to the selection of unsatisfactory suppliers.
This Sunday marks a significant opportunity for voters in Quebec, and being informed can make the process smoother. Be sure to check your municipal resources for the latest details.
