05-08-2025
Advance voting a popular choice in Arthabaska byelection
Despite the summer season, advance voting was a popular choice in Quebec's Arthabaska byelection.
The turnout was around 26 per cent, double that of the previous byelection in the riding of Terrebonne.
Nearly 15,000 voters turned out at the polls during the two days of advance voting on Sunday and Monday.
'This is a high turnout,' confirmed Elections Quebec Spokesperson Julie St-Arnaud-Drolet, adding that it is not an unusual trend in the riding. 'In the provincial election on Oct. 3, 2022, voter turnout was 74 per cent in the Arthabaska riding. Across Quebec, it was 66 per cent.'
There were a few delays at some polling stations, particularly on Sunday, according to Elections Quebec.
'The misconception that it is faster to vote in advance persists from election to election. However, according to the Election Act, election day is the day when we can accommodate the largest number of voters,' said St-Arnaud-Drolet. 'For this byelection, seven advance polling stations were open, while there will be 28 polling stations on election day.'
She adds that advance voting is gaining popularity and, as such, the Election Act should be amended accordingly.
The byelection in Arthabaska was triggered by the departure of Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) MNA Eric Lefebvre, who moved to federal politics with Pierre Poilievre's Conservatives.
The main candidates to replace him are Keven Brasseur (CAQ), Chantale Marchand (Quebec Liberals), Alex Boissonneault (Parti Québécois), Pascale Fortin (Québec Soldaire) and Éric Duhaime (Quebec Conservatives).
According to poll aggregator QC125, the byelection, on Monday, Aug. 11, is expected to be a close race between the Parti Québécois and the Quebec Conservatives.
– This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Aug. 5, 2024.
