Does Québec need a new way to vote? w/ Adam Inniss
Original data research by Local 514 journalist Kalden Rangdröl Dhatsenpa reveals another dimension of that representation gap: in 92 ridings, the number of registered electors who did not vote exceeded the ballots cast for the winning candidate. If non-voters were counted as a hypothetical party, they would have finished first in those constituencies.
The comparison shows how a candidate can win while receiving the support of a relatively small portion of the people registered to vote in their riding. Under Québec’s first-past-the-post system, a candidate needs more votes than any rival, not a majority of votes cast.
In a new Local 514 episode, Kalden Dhatsenpa and CJLO News Hour host Adam Inniss discuss what these findings mean for democratic representation and electoral reform, with the latter re-entering public discourse in light of this election.
Proportional representation would bring parties’ seat totals closer to their share of the vote. Some mockups of this election’s popular vote transposed into a proportional system show how different the results would be, with the CAQ receiving between 17 and 19 seats. Changing the voting system could improve representation, but these proportional transposals don’t show how differently people might vote if their vote counted more.
The election leaves Québec with a government able to lead, but whose electoral support falls well short of a majority. Local 514’s findings sharpen the province’s question: what would an electoral system that better represents Quebecers actually look like?
Make sure to follow Local 514 & CUTV on social media to stay up to date with new episode and more content:
Local 514
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/local514montreal/
CUTV
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cutv.community/
Website: https://www.cutvmontreal.org/
In a rush and want to hear more? Listen to our Local 514 podcast here:
https://open.spotify.com/show/08F3USTqDq5qKcMxYGRNuB?si=6-JF4sT0T4GWK5Duyo-PggShow More
Does Québec need a new way to vote? w/ Adam Inniss
Muslim women speak out against Quebec’s exclusionary policies
Muslim women speak out against Quebec’s exclusionary policies
2026 Québec Election: LIVE
Could the Supreme Court challenge Bill 21?
How Québec solidaire wants to raise $5 billion
Why does the Parti Québécois want to leave Canada?
QC Election: Interview w/ TALQ
Local 514
Some of the ongoing issues that Local 514 covers include Montreal’s housing crisis and tenant advocacy, the effects of municipal, provincial, and federal policies that disenfranchise marginalized communities, the prevailing matter of climate change, and much more!
Local 514 Programs
Local 514 Podcast| The Debrief | On the Ground
