In this section
Our values
- Impartiality and independence: performing our duties and making our decisions free from influence and partisanship
- Integrity: affirming our unwavering commitment to democratic principles
- Transparency: communicating all our activities in an open and accessible manner
- Fairness: ensuring the fair application of the legislation and procedures for which we are responsible
Our main mandates
Organizing elections
- Organizing elections and provincial referendums
- Supporting and training returning officers during municipal and school elections
- Managing the permanent list of electors
Overseeing political financing
- Authorizing political parties and candidates
- Training official agents and official representatives of political parties
- Managing the public and popular funding of political parties and candidates
- Auditing the financial reports and election expenses of political parties
Providing information
- Providing information to electors
- Educating about democracy
- Running voting awareness campaigns
Conducting inquiries and prosecutions
- Conducting inquiries initiated by the Chief Electoral Officer or at the request of an individual
- Conducting prosecutions
Improving electoral processes
- Conducting studies and research
- Consulting
- Making recommendations
- Seeking improvement through international cooperation, partnerships, and the exchange of best practices
The Chief Electoral Officer
Élections Québec’s main responsibilities fall under the person who heads this institution: the Chief Electoral Officer.
Québec’s electoral laws stipulate that the Chief Electoral Officer authorizes political parties and initiates legal proceedings, for example. The name Élections Québec was adopted in 2018 to distinguish the institution from the role of the Chief Electoral Officer, who is responsible for enforcing electoral laws.
The Assemblée nationale appoints a Chief Electoral Officer by means of a resolution adopted by a two-thirds majority of its members. This appointment process is provided for in the Election Act. The first Chief Electoral Officer was appointed in 1945; his mandate focused primarily on electoral operations.
The Chief Electoral Officer’s term of office is seven years. After this period, the Election Act provides that they remain in office until the Assemblée nationale reappoints them or appoints a new person.