Montreal gears up for municipal election campaign starting September 19th
Montreal officially launched its municipal election campaign on Friday, September 19, marking the beginning of a six-week race culminating in the polls on November 2.
As candidates unveil their agendas, a pressing concern this time around is whether more Montrealers will turn up to vote. In the previous municipal election in 2021, voter turnout stood at a mere 38.3%, ranking among the lowest in recent memory. Élections Montréal has made boosting participation its primary goal this year, introducing new initiatives to simplify the voting process.
Residents will have a total of seven days to cast their votes, including advanced polling on October 26 at over 200 locations, the option for mail-in voting, and mobile polling stations.
A noteworthy change this year is the inclusion of post-secondary students in the voting process, with voting stations set up at seven universities and nine CEGEPs in the city. This move aims to engage over 100,000 potential voters, particularly young individuals who had a low turnout in the previous election.
Sébastien Trottier, spokesperson for Élections Montréal, emphasized, “Facilitating the vote and promoting participation is the priority. We aim for the highest turnout rate possible.”
On the campaign front, various candidates wasted no time in outlining their priorities. From addressing the housing crisis to tackling homelessness and focusing on essential needs like affordable housing and public services, each leader is vying for the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on Montreal’s future.
As Montrealers look ahead to the election, they express diverse hopes for the incoming mayor, ranging from improved urban planning to addressing homelessness and transit issues. The upcoming election will not only determine the city’s mayor but also involve voting for 102 positions across 19 boroughs and 58 districts.
With nominations for candidates open until October 3 and voter registration deadline on October 16, Montrealers are gearing up to make their voices heard in one of the country’s largest municipal elections.
Keyphrase: Montreal municipal elections
