How to vote in Quebec’s municipal elections on Nov. 2

MontrealWith municipal elections in Quebec just a couple of weeks away, here’s a guide on what you need to know before heading to the polls on the 2nd of November.If your name doesn’t appear on the list of electors, you will not be able to vote on election dayCBC News · Posted: Oct 18, 2025 4:00 AM EDT | Last Updated: October 18On voting day on November 2, you’ll need to bring a valid ID to cast your ballot. (Mathieu Papillon/Radio-Canada)With voting day in Quebec municipal elections quickly approaching, here’s everything you need to know about where, when and how to cast your ballot.If you’re an elector, you should receive your voter information card in the mail shortly — if you haven’t already. Élections Québec, however, has warned of delays in mail delivery due to the ongoing contract dispute at Canada Post. The conflict has prompted some municipalities, like Montreal, to pay out of pocket for last-minute deliveries through private companies. The voter card lets you know when and where to vote and confirms if you are registered on the electoral list. If you’re unsure about whether you’re on the permanent list of electors, you can verify your status by going to the Élections Québec’s website here, or by checking with your municipality. If you’re not on the list, you won’t be able to vote. When to voteElection day is on Sunday, Nov. 2, with polling stations open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. You can also vote in advance on the Sunday before the election on October 26, from noon, until 8 p.m. If you live in a town with 20,000 inhabitants or more, the municipality has to allow electors to vote at the office of the returning officer on Oct. 24, between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.In addition to Friday Oct. 24, some cities like Montreal, are adding extra days and will allow voters to cast their ballots at the office on Oct. 27 through Oct. 29 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. It will be possible for some Montreal students to cast a ballot at their school, with dates and times differing according to the participating establishments. You can find the list of schools here.The Élections Québec website can help redirect you if you need help finding the contact information for your municipality.WATCH | Voting in Montreal? Here’s what you should know :Elections Montreal reminding people to voteThe deadline is up for Montrealers to register to vote. How Elections Montreal is preparing ahead of the Nov. 2 elections.What to bringBefore heading out to vote, you need to make sure your name appears on the list of electors. If it doesn’t, you will not be allowed to vote. On voting day, you can bring your voter information card with you. It’s not required to cast a ballot, but it can help staff direct you to the correct polling station more quickly and make the process easier. You will, however, need to show a valid piece of identification. Accepted ID’s include a Quebec driver’s licence, health insurance card, Canadian passport, Indian status card or Canadian Forces identification card. If you don’t have the necessary documents, you might still be able to vote but will have to go through a verification panel and swear an oath while respecting certain conditions, to prove you are who you say you are. Where to voteTo find your polling station, you can contact your municipality’s returning officer. Who is on the ballot?Municipal elections are different from those held for other levels of government. In most cases, you will be asked to vote for a municipal councillor and a mayor. In bigger cities, like Montreal, it gets more complicated.Every Montrealer who shows up to their polling station votes for a:Mayor of MontrealBorough mayor (unless in Ville-Marie)City councillor for their district (except in Outremont and L’Île-Bizard–Sainte-Geneviève, where the mayor serves as representative on city council)City councillors represent their borough on Montreal city council and they also represent their citizens on borough council. In Montreal’s less populous boroughs, electors vote for a mayor, city councillor and borough councillor. This is because borough councils must have at least five members. If the size of the population in a borough only warrants one city councillor, that borough has to make up the difference in members by electing borough councillors.WATCH | If you’re voting in Montreal, here’s what you’ll find on your ballot :Explaining what’s on Montrealers��’ municipal election ballotsYou could be filling out up to five ballots on election day in Montreal. We break down exactly who and what you’re voting for. Written by Annabelle Olivier