As we embark on a provincial election, Andy Riga offers five things voters should know.
1.
The standings
This is the current seat breakdown in the 125-seat National Assembly:
Quebec Liberal Party
■
(Philippe Couillard): 68
Parti Québécois (JeanFrançois
■ Lisée): 28
Coalition Avenir Québec ■
(François Legault, pictured above): 21
Québec solidaire
■
(Manon Massé): 3
Independent: 5
■
2.
39-day campaign Quebec’s 39-day election campaign begins on Thursday. Voting day is five-and-a half weeks later, on Monday, Oct. 1.
3.
Riding changes Quebec’s electoral map has changed since the last election. Montreal Island now has 27 ridings because the Outremont and Mont-Royal electoral districts were merged. The Mauricie region also lost a riding. Two ridings were added in the Laurentides-Lanaudière region.
You can find your electoral district at electionsquebec.qc.ca or at 1-888-ELECTION (1-888353-2846).
4.
Make sure you can vote You have to be at least 18 years old, a Canadian citizen and have lived in Quebec since April 1, 2018. You also have to be on the electoral list.
To cast a ballot, you’ll need one of the five types of accepted ID: a Quebec driver’s licence, a Quebec health insurance card, a Canadian passport, a Certificate of Indian Status or a Canadian Armed Forces identity card.
Voters must ensure they are on the list before Oct. 1. About three weeks before voting day, Quebec households will receive an information card by mail featuring the names of those registered to vote at that address.
You can check if you’re on the list on the Elections Quebec website or by calling Elections Quebec. If you’re not on the list, contact Elections Quebec to register.
5.
When and where to vote Voters have eight days on which to cast ballots:
On election day at polling
■ stations: Oct. 1, from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Advance voting at polling
■ stations: Sept. 23 and 24, from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
In advance at the
■ returning officer’s office: Sept. 21, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sept. 22, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 25, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sept. 26, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sept. 27, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Elections Quebec will also mail out information cards. If you will be outside Quebec during the voting period, you can apply to vote by mail by Sept. 12. A form is available on the Elections Quebec website.