Voters in Québec’s 127 ridings headed to the polls Monday in an election that could change the party in power.
The Coalition Avenir Québec had won majority governments in the last two elections, but polls heading into this vote suggested the separatist Parti Québécois was in the driver’s seat.
Here’s the latest on the race (All times Eastern):
8:15 p.m.
The mood is festive at the PQ headquarters in Montreal.
The party jumped out to an early lead in several seats as the initial tallies came in.
Many supporters are decked out in blue and white and candidates are pumping up the crowd with speeches.
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8 p.m.
The polls have closed in the Quebec election.
Securing a majority government requires winning 64 out of the 127 seats in the legislature.
When the election was called, the CAQ held 79 seats, the Liberals had 18, Québec solidaire 11 and the PQ held seven seats. There were nine Independents and one Conservative.
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7 p.m.
A boisterous group of protesters gathered outside the PQ’s main watch party in Montreal as voting entered its final hour.
They chanted slogans critical of police, racism, transphobia and what the PQ’s plans to separate would mean for First Nations.
Security was tight with several police officers keeping watch over the crowd.
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5:11 p.m.
With only a few hours left to vote, Élections Québec pegged the preliminary voter participation rate at slightly over 45 per cent.
Roughly 66 per cent of eligible voters ended up casting ballots in the last two provincial elections.
Polls close at 8 p.m. ET.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 5, 2026.
Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.