MONTREAL - Advance polls are now open across 1,100 municipalities in Quebec, providing voters with the opportunity to cast their ballots just one week before the provincewide elections set for November 2, 2025. On this first day of advance voting, polls will operate from noon to 8 p.m. However, many residents have yet to receive their voter information cards due to a recent Canada Post strike, which has raised concerns about voter awareness and participation.
Élections Québec has emphasized the importance of having identification when voting, and residents are encouraged to check their respective municipality websites for the addresses of advance polling stations. The declining trend in voter turnout is notable, as only 39 percent of Quebecers participated in the municipal elections in 2021, a significant drop from the 45 percent recorded in 2017.
In Montreal alone, around 3,200 poll workers are prepared to facilitate the voting process across 200 polling stations this Sunday. Additionally, Montreal is piloting a new initiative that allows students at 16 post-secondary institutions—including universities and junior colleges—to vote, regardless of the borough they reside in. This effort is aimed at engaging the student demographic and increasing electoral participation among young voters.
Moreover, on Saturday, approximately 1,200 Montrealers had the opportunity to vote from home due to health concerns. Dedicated teams were deployed throughout the city to assist these voters, a measure that is also being implemented in other larger cities such as Quebec City and Sherbrooke. This approach highlights the commitment to ensuring that all eligible voters have access to the electoral process, even in challenging circumstances.
As the main election day approaches, polling stations in Quebec will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on November 2, 2025. The anticipation surrounding this election underscores the ongoing efforts by various stakeholders to promote voter engagement and increase turnout amidst the changing dynamics of civic participation in municipal elections.
