Two Votes, Local and Regional Seats

Summary#

• Bill 199 would change how Quebec elects its National Assembly. It creates a mixed system that keeps local MLAs and adds regional seats to better match overall votes.

• Quebec would have 129 seats: 80 local seats elected by the most votes in each district, and 49 regional seats assigned to balance results across 17 regions.

• Key changes:

  • Voters would get two votes: one for a local candidate in their district, and one for a regional party list or an independent regional candidate.
  • Parties submit regional lists; seats are assigned in each region based on regional vote totals and how many local seats each party already won there. Parties need at least 4% of the party-list vote provincewide to get regional seats.
  • The 17 electoral regions match Quebec’s administrative regions. Each region gets a minimum number of local and regional seats, with special rules for very large or remote areas.
  • The Assembly grows from 125 to 129 members.
  • Parties must alternate women and men on regional lists (starting with a woman in at least half of regions) and run 40% to 60% women as local candidates.

What it means for you#

• Voters

  • You would mark two ballots at the same time: one for your local MLA and one for a regional choice (a party list or an independent).
  • Your regional vote helps decide which parties (or independent regional candidates) get the 49 regional seats, making overall results closer to total votes.
  • Ballots and voter guides would be redesigned. Elections Quebec must send plain-language information before voting.

• In your community/region

  • Every region is guaranteed a base number of local and regional seats, so remote regions still have a voice.
  • Local districts would be redrawn within each region to fit the new map before the first election under the new system.

• Candidates and parties

  • A person can run for a local seat and also be on a regional list at the same time.
  • Independent candidates can run for regional seats (with a 100‑signature rule spread across the region).
  • If a regional seat becomes vacant, it is filled without a by‑election: the next person on the party’s regional list takes it, or, for an independent seat, it goes to the next in line based on the last election’s results.
  • Parties must meet gender-parity rules on lists and among local nominees; fines apply for non‑compliance.

• Money and campaign rules

  • Public funding formulas and spending limits are adjusted to reflect regional lists and independent regional candidates, while keeping the overall public funding envelope about the same.
  • Spending limits vary by district size and remoteness; special higher limits apply in places like Abitibi‑Témiscamingue, Côte‑Nord, Îles‑de‑la‑Madeleine, and Ungava.
  • Independent regional candidates can get a 50% expense reimbursement if elected or if they reach at least 15% of valid votes.

• Timing

  • The new rules start with the first general election after the new map of 80 districts and 17 regions is published. Until then, current rules apply.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

• It makes election results fairer by aligning seat totals more closely with how people voted across regions.
• Voters get two clear choices: a local representative and a regional preference, reducing “wasted votes.”
• Regions keep a strong local link through 80 local districts, with minimum seat guarantees for remote areas.
• Gender parity rules should help elect more women and better reflect Quebec’s diversity.
• Clear voter education and simple “most votes wins” for local seats keep the system understandable.

Opponents' View#

• The system is more complex: two ballots, regional lists, and seat formulas could confuse voters.
• Party list seats may give party leaders more control over who gets elected, reducing local accountability for some MLAs.
• Filling regional vacancies from lists (without by‑elections) means voters do not directly choose replacements.
• Raising the Assembly to 129 members increases costs; implementation will also require new administration and education efforts.
• The 4% provincewide threshold can still shut out very small parties; others worry the system could produce more coalition or minority governments.