how to vote
voting in Québec, step by step
the general election is on October 5, 2026. here is how to exercise your right to vote — no jargon, and without anyone telling you what to do with it.
the essentials in one sentence
if you are 18 or older, a Canadian citizen, and have been domiciled in Québec for at least six months, you can vote — you just need to be on the electoral list and to show an accepted piece of ID.
check that you are eligible to vote
you can vote if, on election day, you are 18 or older, a Canadian citizen, and have been domiciled in Québec for at least six months.
check that you are on the electoral list
to vote, your name must be on the electoral list at your current address. most people are already registered automatically, but a recent move may not be up to date.
check and, if needed, correct your registration with Elections Québec — this is the step that avoids a bad surprise on voting day.
find your riding
you vote for a candidate in your own riding, not for a party leader across Québec. your ballot lists the people running where you live.
get a piece of ID ready
at the polling station, you are asked to prove your identity with one of the accepted documents: health insurance card, driver’s licence, Canadian passport, certificate of Indian status, or Canadian Forces card.
choose when to vote
you can vote on election day, October 5, 2026, at your polling station. if that date does not work for you, advance polling and other options (returning officer’s office, mail-in voting depending on your situation) are offered on dates set in advance.
your reminder card from Elections Québec, sent by mail, tells you where and when to vote at your address.
vote
at the polling station, you are handed a ballot. alone in the voting booth, you mark a single choice, then place your ballot in the box. the vote is secret: no one has the right to know who you voted for.
where to find official information
the rules of voting — eligibility, accepted ID, dates, locations — are set and kept up to date by Elections Québec (the Chief Electoral Officer), the independent body that runs the election. it is the only official source: when in doubt, it is what prevails. Veille Électorale explains these rules in plain language, it does not replace them.