Québec City, August 30, 2001 –– Mr. Marcel Blanchet, Chief Electoral Officer, would like to inform those persons who have relatives or friends who are currently staying outside Québec and who, at the time of their departure, were domiciled in the electoral divisions of Blainville, Jonquière, Labelle and Laviolette that they will be able to take advantage of voting by mail for the October 1st by-elections.
The electors contemplated by this measure are those who have been temporarily away from Québec for two years or less and who intend to return to Québec. These electors will be able to vote by mail, provided that they have obtained the registration form and duly completed and returned it to the Chief Electoral Officer by the stipulated deadline. Eligible electors will then receive a ballot paper at their address outside Québec as well as all the information required to vote.
It is important to note that given the relatively short duration of the election period, electors only have a few days to register to vote by mail. Within the framework of the current by-elections, registration forms will have to be returned, duly completed and along with the requested supporting documents, not later than September 12, 2001. That is why it is important to act quickly.
You can obtain the registration form by downloading it from the Chief Electoral Officer’s web site at the following address: www.dgeq.qc.ca. It can also be obtained by contacting the Information Centre of the Chief Electoral Officer:
By telephone: 1 888 ELECTION or 1 888 353-2846 (in Québec)
(418) 528-0422 (outside Québec – calling charges accepted)
By fax: (418) 643-7291
By mail: Directeur général des élections du Québec
Édifice René-Lévesque
3460, rue de La Pérade,
Sainte-Foy (Québec)
G1X 3Y5
It should also be noted that the time limit of two years or less does not apply to electors who are posted outside Québec as part of a position on behalf of the Government of Québec, the Government of Canada or an international organization referred to in the Act. Nor does the time limit apply to the spouse of the elector in question or to his dependents, if they are qualified electors. Electors posted outside Québec will have to provide, in addition to the other supporting documents required on the registration form, proof of their posting outside Québec.
Mr. Blanchet is counting on all those persons who have relatives or friends who have been temporarily absent from Québec for two years or less and who were domiciled in the electoral divisions of Blainville, Jonquière, Labelle and Laviolette to inform them of the possibility of voting by mail during the October 1st by-elections.
