Why you should vote in Quebec's municipal elections

Quebecers are about to hit the polls, but despite their impact on everyday life, municipal elections historically have low voter turnout. 

For instance, fewer than half of eligible voters participated in Montreal's 2017 election, far less than in the last provincial and federal elections which saw over 60 per cent participation.

"A lot of people don't realize how important politics are to their day-to-day life, right?" said Samantha Reusch, the executive director of the voter mobilization group Apathy is Boring.

"Municipal government has so much power over everything, from the day your garbage is picked up in front of your house, the fact that your garbage is picked up in front of your house, to the local infrastructure like roads, all sorts of things."

Municipalities are responsible for other services that people use regularly, like sports facilities.

They ensure public safety — such as police and fire — and manage housing regulations, property taxes, zoning rules and pesticide bylaws. They have a say in public transit decisions.

In other words, much of Quebecers' everyday lives are handled by their local governments.

So, why do so few show up to vote? 

Experts say lack of trust in government and feeling invisible to politicians may be part of the reason.

Tyler Lemco ran for Montreal mayor as a lark in the last election, after his "Not running for anything, I just wanted a sign" posters went viral.

WATCH | How voter turnout can make a difference

He said his satirical campaign gained traction because people want transparency.

"I think that people are so ready for something different," he said. "I find there's such a cycle to politics that I think someone unqualified who was just there to have some fun ruffled a little bit of feathers just 'cause people were fascinated in something different." 

Reusch said to increase voter turnout, especially among young people, it's key to have better civic education in schools and to have a robust local media focusing on community issues. She also said politicians need to form relationships with their voter base.