Quebec’s 2026 election directive restricts English service at polling stations

CityNews Montreal reported on September 25, 2026, that a new directive requires Quebec polling workers to confirm whether voters requesting English service meet either eligibility criterion. If neither applies, workers must continue the conversation in French.

Geoffrey Chambers, the lead plaintiff in a challenge over the language of voting cards, said his group had sent a formal demand letter calling the directive unconstitutional and seeking its reversal. He said the group could go to court, but obtaining a ruling before the October 5 election was uncertain.

Élections Québec says it must comply with the Charter of the French Language and remain politically neutral. TALQ’s director general warned that the directive could discourage some anglophones from voting.