Voting with MCS: How to Request Accessibility

Québec Provincial Election — October 5, 2026

People with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) may encounter accessibility barriers at voting locations because of fragrances and other chemical exposures. If you need accommodation in order to vote, contact the returning officer for your electoral division as early as possible, explain the barriers you may encounter, and ask what arrangements can be made.

Ask in advance

Élections Québec states that it offers measures to make voting accessible and invites electors with special needs to contact it for information about voting accessibility. MCS – or fragrance-specific measures are not listed among the standard measures on its public accessibility page, so it is important to describe your individual accessibility needs and request the measures you require.

What you can request

That election staff and volunteers who will interact with you refrain from wearing perfume, cologne, aftershave or other fragranced products.
That fragranced air fresheners, scent diffusers or similar products not be used in or near the voting area.
Information, where available, about cleaning products, pesticides, renovations or other recent chemical applications that could affect your access.
An arrangement that minimizes your waiting time and the amount of time you need to spend inside the voting location.
A suitable waiting arrangement if you cannot remain inside while waiting.
Information about another voting option that may better meet your accessibility needs.

When making your request

State clearly that you are requesting an accessibility accommodation because of a disability.
Describe the environmental barriers that affect your ability to access the voting location.
Be specific about the accommodation you are requesting.
Make the request as early as possible.
Ask for confirmation of the arrangements in writing.
Keep a copy of your request and the response.
If you encounter an accessibility problem, document what happened and let ASEQ-EHAQ know.

Sample accessibility request

Subject: Request for accessibility accommodation for voting

Dear Returning Officer,

I am an elector in the [NAME OF ELECTORAL DIVISION] electoral division and I live with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS), a disability that can limit my access to environments where I am exposed to fragrances and other chemical sources.

I am writing in advance to request accessibility accommodations so that I can exercise my right to vote.

To make the voting environment accessible to me, I am requesting, to the extent possible, that:

the election staff and volunteers with whom I will interact refrain from wearing perfume, cologne, aftershave or other fragranced products;
fragranced air fresheners, scent diffusers or similar products not be used in or near the voting area;
I be informed, where possible, of relevant cleaning products, pesticides, renovations or other recent chemical applications that could affect my access;
my waiting time and time inside the voting location be minimized; and
an appropriate arrangement be made if I am unable to remain inside while waiting.

Please let me know what accommodations can be arranged and whether there are other voting options that may better meet my accessibility needs.

I would appreciate receiving confirmation before I attend the voting location so that I can plan to vote as accessibly as possible.

Thank you for helping ensure that I am able to exercise my right to vote.

Sincerely,
[NAME] [ELECTORAL DIVISION] [CONTACT INFORMATION]

If you cannot leave home for health reasons

Élections Québec states that an elector who is unable to leave home for health reasons may request to vote at home. For the 2026 provincial election, the request must be made to the returning officer no later than September 21, 2026. An informal caregiver may also be able to vote at the same time if included in the request.

Important: Voting at home is an official Élections Québec option with eligibility requirements. Requesting fragrance-related accommodation at a polling place does not guarantee that every requested measure will be provided; ask in advance and obtain confirmation of what can be arranged.

Official information

Élections Québec — Voting accessibility:
https://www.electionsquebec.qc.ca/en/vote/voting-accessibility/

Élections Québec — Voting at home for health reasons:
https://www.electionsquebec.qc.ca/en/vote/other-voting-options/you-are-unable-to-leave-your-domicile-for-health-reasons/

Élections Québec telephone: 1 888 ELECTION (1 888 353-2846)

Download the full PDF: Voting with MCS – How to Request Accessibility