Élections Québec Denied Exemption for Bilingual Mailings as Anglophone Community Raises Accessibility Concerns

EASTERN TOWNSHIPS, September 2nd 2026 – Élections Québec’s decision to mail voter information guides exclusively in French is raising concerns among English-speaking communities in the Eastern Townships ahead of the October 5 provincial election.

Denis Kotsoros, director of the Townshippers Association, says the organization is concerned that relying on QR codes and online resources could create barriers, particularly for seniors, who have some of the highest voting rates.

Kotsoros says the association is considering providing translated information through its website, social media and local outreach, although limited resources could restrict what it can offer.

Élections Québec spokesperson Julie St-Arnaud Drolet says the agency requested an exemption that would have allowed bilingual guides to continue being mailed, but the request was denied under the current Charter of the French Language.

St-Arnaud says eligible Anglophone voters can still obtain information in English by contacting Élections Québec. No documentation is required; voters can use a self-declaration process.

Élections Québec also plans to use English-language advertising to communicate voting information.

Both organizations say their goal is to ensure voters have the information needed to participate in the election on October 5.

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