General information

• Calling an election
• The election timetable
• Revision of the list of electors

Calling an election

The May 9, 2012, the government adopted a writ of the Cabinet. This writ was then sent to the Chief Electoral Officer of Québec. The date selected by the government is the June 11, 2012 for an election period of 33 days.

The decision to hold an election is made only by the premier.

The election timetable

The Chief Electoral Officer publishes a schedule showing all activities of the election period.

Revision of the list of electors

General

First, it is important to distinguish between the permanent list of electors and the list of electors used during a general or by-election. The Chief Electoral Officer uses the permanent list of electors until the writ is issued to call an election. At this time, it produces a list of electors for each electoral division. This list of electors is sent to the returning officer.

The Chief Electoral Officer then sends to every civic address a notice containing key information about electors entered on the list of electors at that address. This notice is sent latest on the May 20, 2012.

Revision then takes place from the May 21 to 29, 2012. The mandate of the board of revisors is to make changes to the list of electors, if necessary.

Finally, between the May 30 to June 7, 2012, a special board of revisors meets. Electors who make changes during this special revision cannot vote in the advance poll; they can only exercise their voting right on polling days at the returning office and on election day.

Conditions for revision

An elector can request a change to the permanent list of electors to update the information concerning them.

Electors can file three types of applications to the board of revisors. They can apply to be entered on the list of electors, request the correction of certain information or request to be struck off the list.

A revision can be requested for various reasons: due to a move to a new address, to correct an address, due to a temporary absence from the domicile (for studies, work, to receive health care in a health care facility or for the elector's safety), in case of death or when a person is placed under curatorship.

A third party can also request that a person in his or her polling subdivision be struck off.

The board cannot strike of an elector until the person concerned is informed in writing, unless in the case of death or curatorship as long as it is satisfied with the evidence presented.