Important information about the Quebec Municipal Elections
- The municipal general elections across Québec are scheduled for Sunday, November 2, 2025.
- Municipal elections in Québec are held every four years on the first Sunday of November, as mandated by the Act respecting elections and referendums in municipalities.
- More than 1,100 municipalities will participate in this election, filling approximately 8,000 elected municipal positions.
With the Québec municipal elections happening on November 2, the time has never been better to think critically about your community and what you want to see in the future.
What is a municipal election? The word municipal refers to the local level of government - the mayors, councillors, and other officials who oversee towns, cities, or boroughs. Unlike provincial or federal governments, which focus on broader policies across larger regions, municipal governments are responsible for services you see and use daily: road maintenance, snow removal, garbage collection, zoning for housing and businesses, parks and recreation programs, and so much more.
When you cast a ballot in a municipal election, you are making your voice heard on the issues affecting your community. Let's take a closer look at the Québec municipal elections so you can make an informed choice about your next local leader.
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Key Dates and Timeline
- Election Date: November 2, 2025
- Nomination Period: September 19, 2025 to October 3, 2025
- Advance Polling Dates: October 26, 2025
- Deadline for Voter Registration: Deadlines for voter registration and mail-in ballot applications vary, but they generally fall in the month leading up to the election.
For the most up-to-date information on the upcoming election, be sure to visit the Élections Québec website, which provides province-wide election oversight and updates.
Eligibility and Voter Registration
So how do you register to vote in your local Québec election? Let's take a look at the process, step-by-step.
Step 1: Confirm your Eligibiity
To vote, you must be 18+ on election day, a Canadian citizen, and you must not have lost your voting rights. If your home address is in the municipality, you also need to have lived in Québec for at least six months. If your home address is elsewhere, you may still vote in that municipality if you own a building or occupy a business there (for at least 45 days before election day) and you submit the required application to be added to the municipal list.
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👉 be at least 18 years old
👉 Canadian citizens
👉 Residents of the municipality in question.
👉Non-resident property owners may also have the right to vote, provided they meet certain conditions.
Step 2: Watch for your "notice of entry" by mail
At the start of the election period your municipality’s returning officer mails a notice listing who is registered at your address and where/when to do revisions. There is no online self-check for municipal elections, so use this notice to verify your entry.
Step 3: Review your Notice of Entry Carefully
If your name is missing or any information is wrong, go to the revision office (address/dates are printed on the notice) as soon as it opens in your municipality. You cannot register or change your address on election day.
Step 4: Go to the Revision Office if you have Moved or require any other changes
Plan on bringing two pieces of ID: one that shows your name and date of birth (e.g., health card, passport, birth certificate) and another showing your current Québec address (e.g., driver’s licence, lease, utility bill). One document should include your signature. Your spouse, a parent, or a person who lives with you may file the request on your behalf during the revision period if needed.
Step 5: Apply to be Added to the List of Electors if you are a Non-Resident Property Owner or Business Occupant
Contact the returning officer to get the municipality’s application for entry (and, for co-owners/co-occupants, the required designation/power of attorney so only one person votes for the property). You must meet the “since at least 45 days before polling day” ownership/occupancy rule (for 2025, that reference date was September 18, 2025). Submit your forms within the municipality’s deadlines.
If you are still unsure of whether or not you are registered to vote in your municipality, contact an officer at Élections Québec.
Positions Up for Election
In Québec, there a number of positions up for election, including mayor, city council seats and other municipal roles.
Mayoral Seats
Mayoral seats are the most visible and well known positions up for election. In big cities like Montréal, Québec City, Laval, and Gatineau, the mayor is a powerful figure shaping major priorities such as public transit projects, housing developments, and environmental initiatives. Smaller towns and villages will also elect mayors, whose influence may be more connected to residents’ daily lives: managing parks, snow removal, water services, and local events.
City Councillors
City councillors are also important roles up for election. They represent neighborhoods or districts within municipalities. Councillors debate and vote on local bylaws, budget allocations, and community programs. In some larger municipalities, borough mayors and councillors will also be elected.
In certain cases, residents may also elect representatives to other municipal or regional bodies, such as transit authorities or intermunicipal boards, depending on their community’s governance structure.
Voting Process and Methods
Voting in Québec municipal elections is designed to be accessible and straightforward. Citizens may choose either to vote in-person or in advance of the election day.
In-person voting remains the most popular method of voting, with polling stations set up in schools, community centres, and municipal buildings. Voters must bring acceptable identification and may be asked to confirm their address.
Advance voting provides flexibility to those who prefer cast their vote ahead of time. Advance voting is usually scheduled a week before election day. This option is especially helpful for those with work, family, or travel obligations.
Some municipalities also allow mail-in ballots for individuals with mobility challenges or those temporarily residing outside the municipality. To use this option, voters must apply in advance and adhere to strict deadlines.
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Importance of Participation
It's not uncommon for Canadians to overlook muncipal elections, and voter turnout is typically lower than provincial or federal contests. For context, turnout in the 2021 Québec municipal elections averaged around 38%, showing significant room for improvement. Despite common perceptions, municipal elections are just as important as any other, since the work of muncipal officials will impact your day-to-day life.
For example, municipal governments manage the services people rely on every day - garbage collection, road maintenance, water treatment, recreational facilities and zoning for new housing developments. They also play a role in protecting public safety through police forces, fire services, and emergency planning. Councils also decide on bike lanes, public transit priorities, and waste diversion programs.
Challenges and Recent Developments
Municipal politics across Québec have also been rather turbulent in recent years. Since the 2021 elections, more than 800 elected officials - mayors and councillors - have resigned. Reasons include heavy workloads, a lack of resources, harassment and intimidation (often through social media) and the difficulty of balancing public office with personal life.
This wave of resignations has raised concerns about the sustainability of municipal leadership and the need for stronger supports. Efforts to encourage candidacy from Élections Québec are strong, with initiatives aimed at increasing participation among women and historically underrepresented groups. Programs offering leadership training, mentorship, and safe campaign environments are being expanded.
Resources and Further Information
For more information, it is best to contact Élections Québec or visit https://www.electionsquebec.qc.ca/en/homepage/ for official information.
Phone number: (Quebec) 418 528-0422.
Elsewhere in Canada or the United States, toll-free: 1 888 ÉLECTION (1 888 353-2846)
Email: info@electionsquebec.qc.ca
Mailing Address:
Élections Québec
1045, avenue Wilfrid-Pelletier, bureau 200
Québec (Québec) G1W 0C6
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