Hesitant about voting? Let us explain why your vote is so important.
In our democracy, collective decisions are made by representatives chosen by the population. When you vote, you support this principle.
Democracy
The word democracy was formed from two Greek words meaning “people” and “power.” That’s why it’s often described as the power of the people.
Voting is a singular gesture, but it’s an important civic act. By voting, you help determine who will form the next government. The outcome of the election will affect your daily life over the next several years. Every member of the National Assembly makes decisions that can shape your life and the society we live in.
The provincial government is responsible for a number of things, including:
The provincial government allocates its budget to these different areas. It is also responsible for provincial laws and courts.
Every elector has the right to vote if they meet the conditions. Your vote has the same value as everyone else’s, no matter your situation or level of education. Your beliefs and values are as legitimate as anyone else’s.
Every vote matters. Voting enables everyone to express their opinion and influence decision-making. Exercising your right to vote means making democracy more representative of our society.
Your vote is secret. The choice is yours. No one can force you to reveal who you voted for.
"If we don’t vote, how can society represent us?"
Félix, elector, Saint-Colomban
The evolution of voting rights
Between 1867 and 1935, electors had to meet certain criteria to be eligible to vote: they had to be wealthy, educated and male. At the time, the right to vote was reserved for certain categories of people, such as teachers and clerics. Voting rights have undergone a major evolution in Québec. Discover the criteria to have the right to vote today.
"Young people have immense voting power. Voting allows them to advocate for issues they care about, such as the environment, education, and social justice. By participating in elections, young people are helping to shape a more just, inclusive and forward-looking society."
Clara, elector, Saint-Bruno
When you vote for a candidate or a political party that shares your values and ideas, you support the person who is defending your interests.
Your vote has financial value. When a candidate is elected or obtains at least 15% of the votes, half of their election expenses are reimbursed to their official representative. Political parties receive annual financial assistance based on the number of votes they got during the last provincial general election.
A few votes can make the difference for the candidate or party you choose to support.
"When I think about democracy, I think of the word choice. For me, democracy is about making our own choices in life. For example, we have the choice to express ourselves freely. We can choose from among several political parties with different ideas. We have the choice to vote."
Melisa, elector, Dollard-des-Ormeaux
For democracy to work, electors have to vote. By choosing someone to represent you during elections, you’re setting a good example for your loved ones and for your children. Voting is an important gesture and a value worth passing down from generation to generation.
Your grandparents or great-grandparents—especially the women in your family—fought for the right to vote. Voting means recognizing this collective history and helping to shape the society of tomorrow.
"When I think of the right to vote, I think of all the women who fought for the next generations of women, for us to have that right, that privilege and that responsibility, and for our voices to be heard in society."
Ashley, elector, Repentigny
Some people even talk about how lucky they are to live in a democratic society where everyone can express themselves freely. That’s not the case everywhere in the world. In several countries, people are still fighting for the right to vote. It’s a collective privilege that is hard won by certain groups of people. Even in a democracy like ours, it’s important to protect these advances and keep them alive.
"Living in a democracy is a privilege not everyone in the world enjoys. It’s up to us to use it!"
Adam, elector, Laval
Make way for women
On April 25, 1940, women in Québec were finally able to vote and stand for election. It was only in 1961 that women had their first voice in parliament, thanks to Marie-Claire Kirkland-Casgrain, the first woman to be elected and the first woman to be appointed minister.
Small polling stations
When you go to vote, you can take your children along to introduce them to the electoral process. On election day, small polling stations allow children to vote, like their parents, by answering a question specially selected for them.
Voting accessibility
If you have specific needs, the polling station staff can propose different accessibility measures.
In our democracy, collective decisions are made by representatives chosen by the population. When you vote, you support this principle.
Democracy
The word democracy was formed from two Greek words meaning “people” and “power.” That’s why it’s often described as the power of the people.
Voting is a singular gesture, but it’s an important civic act. When you vote, you help determine who will form the next municipal council. Your municipality is the level of government which is the closest to you, and municipal services are an important part of your living environment. The outcome of the election will affect your daily life and your community.
Municipalities manage many of the places you go to:
Municipalities also have a hand in various services, such as:
Municipalities are responsible for nearly two thirds of public infrastructure. That represents several billion dollars in assets.
Your municipal council is made up of a mayor and at least six councillors. These people make decisions that affect your habits. What if the next habit you adopted was voting?
Municipal council
The composition of a municipal council varies according to the size of the municipality. In a municipality with a population of 20,000 or more, the territory is divided into electoral districts. Each district has its own councillor. Electors in these municipalities have to elect the mayor and the councillor of their district, and must therefore fill out two ballot papers during a general election. In municipalities whose territory is not divided into districts, electors vote for each seat to be filled on the municipal council, and must therefore fill out several ballot papers.
Every elector has the right to vote if they meet the conditions. Your vote has the same value as everyone else’s, no matter your situation or level of education. Your beliefs and values are as legitimate as anyone else’s.
Every vote matters. Voting enables everyone to express their opinion and influence decision-making. Exercising your right to vote means making democracy more representative of our society.
Your vote is secret. The choice is yours. No one can force you to reveal who you voted for.
"If we don’t vote, how can society represent us?"
Félix, elector, Saint-Colomban
The evolution of voting rights
When the first municipal election was held, in 1833, only male property owners who were 21 and over had the right to vote. That represented only 20% of the male population at the time. It wasn’t until 1892 that women who owned property and were unmarried were able to vote in municipal elections. Voting rights have undergone a major evolution in Québec. Discover the criteria to have the right to vote today.
"Young people have immense voting power. Voting allows them to advocate for issues they care about, such as the environment, education, and social justice. By participating in elections, young people are helping to shape a more just, inclusive and forward-looking society."
Clara, elector, Saint-Bruno
When you vote for a candidate or a political party that shares your values and ideas, you support the person who is defending your interests.
In municipalities with 5,000 inhabitants or more, your vote can have a direct effect on the financing of political parties and independent candidates. A candidate can be reimbursed up to 70% of their election expenses if they are elected or obtain at least 15% of the vote.
In municipalities with a population of 20,000 or more, political parties can receive an annual allowance based on the number of votes they obtained in the most recent general election.
A few votes can make a difference for the candidate or party you choose to support.
"When I think about democracy, I think of the word choice. For me, democracy is about making our own choices in life. For example, we have the choice to express ourselves freely. We can choose from among several political parties with different ideas. We have the choice to vote."
Melisa, elector, Dollard-des-Ormeaux
For democracy to work, electors have to vote. By choosing someone to represent you during elections, you’re setting a good example for your loved ones and for your children. Voting is an important gesture and a value worth passing down from generation to generation.
Your grandparents or great-grandparents—especially the women in your family—fought for the right to vote. Voting means recognizing this collective history and helping to shape the society of tomorrow.
"When I think of the right to vote, I think of all the women who fought for the next generations of women, for us to have that right, that privilege and that responsibility, and for our voices to be heard in society."
Ashley, elector, Repentigny
Some people even talk about how lucky they are to live in a democratic society where everyone can express themselves freely. That’s not the case everywhere in the world. In several countries, people are still fighting for the right to vote. It’s a collective privilege that is hard won by certain groups of people. Even in a democracy like ours, it’s important to protect these advances and keep them alive.
"Living in a democracy is a privilege not everyone in the world enjoys. It’s up to us to use it!"
Adam, elector, Laval
Make way for women
In 1940, in Montréal, Kathleen Fisher became the first woman in Québec to be elected city councillor. In 1953, in the Outaouais region, Elsie Gibbons became the first woman mayor to be elected. It wasn’t until 1968 that all women, regardless of their status, gradually gained the right to stand for election and the right to vote, depending on the city and municipality.
Small polling stations
When you go to vote, you can take your children along to introduce them to the electoral process. On election day, in some municipalities, small polling stations allow children to vote, like their parents, by answering a question specially designed for them.
Voting accessibility
If you have specific needs, the polling station staff can propose different accessibility measures.
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