Quebec expands ridings to 127, majority now 64 seats

Quebec has officially increased the number of its electoral districts from 125 to 127 ahead of the 2026 provincial election, raising the threshold for a governing majority to 64 seats. The adjustment adds two new ridings to the province’s Legislative Assembly, meaning parties will need to secure one more seat than in the previous election cycle to claim a majority.

The change results from a recent review of the province’s electoral map, which identified the need for additional representation in certain areas. By expanding the total count to 127 districts, the government aims to reflect population shifts and ensure more balanced constituency sizes across the province.

Under the previous arrangement of 125 ridings, a party required 63 seats to hold a majority. With the addition of the two new districts, the calculation shifts upward, setting the new benchmark at 64 seats. This modest increase could influence campaign strategies as parties assess the distribution of support in the newly created constituencies.

The Legislative Assembly will therefore be composed of 127 members after the election, each representing a distinct riding. The adjustment does not alter the overall structure of the assembly but does change the arithmetic for achieving a majority government.

Election officials have confirmed that the new ridings will be contested alongside the existing ones on election day. Voters in the affected areas will receive updated information about their new electoral boundaries and polling locations. The province’s electoral commission has emphasized that the changes are intended to improve representation and maintain the integrity of the democratic process.

Political analysts note that while the increase of a single seat may appear minor, it could prove decisive in a closely contested election. Parties will need to consider the impact of the two additional districts as they allocate resources and plan their outreach efforts for the 2026 vote.

The 2026 provincial election will be the first in Quebec’s history to be decided under the new 127‑riding configuration, marking a notable adjustment to the province’s electoral landscape.