Voting stations in Quebec have now closed following the municipal elections where residents participated. Valérie Plante stepping down after two terms ensures a new mayor for Montreal, Canada’s second-largest city. The election results were live on CBC Quebec on Nov. 2.
Out of Quebec’s approximately 1,100 municipalities, many officials were elected unopposed by acclamation, as per data from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. This includes 568 mayoral seats and 4,034 municipal council seats. Among the municipalities with acclaimed mayors are Kirkland and Dollard-des-Ormeaux in the greater Montreal area.
This leaves 523 mayors and 2,761 municipal councillors to be elected by the voters. Advance polling and alternative voting methods occurred in numerous municipalities, with most polling stations closing at 8 p.m. on Sunday. Gatineau extended its polling hours until 8:30 p.m. due to computer issues at some locations in the morning.
As the ballots are being counted, the election results will be announced. CBC is set to go live tonight at 8 p.m. on TV, radio, and online streaming platforms for coverage. Voter turnout in the previous municipal elections in Quebec was 38.7%, a decrease from the previous four elections where participation rates ranged from 44.8% to 47.2%. In Montreal, the voter turnout was 38% in 2021, down from eight years ago.
As of 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, Élections Montréal estimated a voter turnout of around 17%. The transit strike in Montreal could be impacting voter turnout, according to Élections Québec spokesperson Julie St-Arnaud Drolet. She mentioned that voting stations are usually within walking distance and suggested carpooling with neighbors as an option to overcome obstacles to voting.