Quebec election: Voters head to the polls to choose next provincial government

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Everything you need to know to vote in Quebec’s 2026 election

After weeks of campaigning, election day and early voting are around the corner. Here’s what you need to know to cast your ballot.

Voters in Quebec are choosing their next provincial government today after a crowded campaign dominated by the economy and talk of a potential referendum.
One of the main five parties would need at least 64 seats to form a majority government, with 127 members in the National Assembly of Quebec.
You can compare each party's promises around key issues using CBC's platform tracker.
CBC News will be live on election night online, as well as on TV and radio as of 7:30 p.m. ET. Polling stations close across the province at 8 p.m. ET.

The 5 main party leaders: who they are and where they are running
Antoni Nerestant
The five main party leaders. From left: Christine Fréchette (CAQ), Charles Milliard (PLQ), Ruba Ghazal (QS), Paul St-Pierre-Plamondon (PQ) and Éric Duhaime (PCQ). (Nael Shiab/CBC)
The five top candidates for premier of Quebec, and the parties they represent, are:
- Éric Duhaime — Conservative Party of Quebec (PCQ).
- Christine Fréchette — Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ).
- Ruba Ghazal — Québec Solidaire (QS).
- Charles Milliard — Quebec Liberal Party (PLQ).
- Paul St-Pierre Plamondon — Parti Québécois (PQ).
In addition to vying to become premier, they’re also running to become members of the National Assembly (MNAs) in seats around the province.
Fréchette is running in Trois-Rivières and St-Pierre Plamondon is running in the eastern Montreal riding of Camille-Laurin. This will be Duhaime’s third attempt at becoming an MNA. This time he’s running in the riding of Bellechasse in the Beauce region.
Ghazal is trying to get elected in the Montreal riding of Mercier for the third time. Milliard, who became PLQ leader in February, is trying to win the Orford riding in the Eastern Townships.
Counting down to a new government
Holly Cabrera
The deadline during this campaign for people who wished to run as a candidate was Sept. 17. (François Gagnon/Radio-Canada)
Good evening.
Polls across Quebec remain open until 8 p.m. ET, and CBC News will be with you into the night until a new government is formed.
On this page, we'll be sharing up-to-the-minute results, expert analysis and behind-the-scenes coverage from all five major party headquarters.
You can also watch our election special streaming online as of 7:30 p.m. or tune in on CBC TV, CBC News Network and CBC Radio One.
So grab a coffee, settle in and let's see how this plays out.

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