A Quebec resident living abroad for more than two years successfully challenged Quebec’s Election Act, which previously barred citizens from voting by mail after this period. Bruno Gélinas-Faucher, a law professor, fought against this restriction and recently won his case in the Quebec Superior Court.
The court ruled that the two-year limit on voting by mail from abroad was unjust and hindered the democratic rights of Quebec citizens. As a result, the contested section of the Election Act was deemed invalid and suspended for 12 months, pending the government’s adoption of a new voting rights regime.
Gélinas-Faucher, who was unable to vote in a byelection while studying in England, highlighted the impact this ruling will have on thousands of Quebec voters living abroad for various reasons. Moving forward, their right to participate in provincial elections will be protected, regardless of the length of their absence.
The Quebec government has the option to appeal the decision, but for now, the court’s ruling stands to ensure that all Quebec voters, including those residing outside the province, can exercise their fundamental democratic right to vote.
