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 Switzerlandportal |
A constitutional referendum was held in Switzerland in July and August 1848, [1] the first referendum on record in the Swiss Confederation. [2] The new constitution was approved by 72.8% of voters and a majority of cantons. [2] [3]
In order to pass, any amendments to the constitution needed a double majority; a majority of the popular vote and majority of the cantons. [4] The decision of each canton was based on the vote in that canton. [4] Full cantons counted as one vote, whilst half cantons counted as half. [4]
| Choice | Popular vote | Cantons | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | Full | Half | Total | |
| For | 145,584 | 72.8 | 14 | 3 | 15.5 |
| Against | 54,320 | 27.2 | 5 | 3 | 6.5 |
| Invalid/blank votes | – | – | – | – | |
| Total | 199,904 | 100 | 19 | 6 | 22 |
| Source: Nohlen & Stöver | |||||
A constitutional referendum was held in Switzerland on 12 May 1872. The new constitution was rejected by 50.5% of voters and a majority of cantons.
A constitutional referendum was held in Switzerland on 19 April 1874. The new constitution was approved by 63.2% of voters and a majority of cantons. It gave more responsibilities and powers to the federal government.
A constitutional referendum was held in Switzerland on 31 October 1880 aiming at a complete overhaul of the constitution. The constitutional amendments were rejected by 68.2% of voters and a majority of cantons.
A referendum on copyright was held in Switzerland on 19 March 1905. Voters were asked whether they approved of a federal resolution on revising article 64 of the constitution, defining the protection rights of inventors. It was approved by 70.4% of voters and a majority of cantons.
A referendum on disease control was held in Switzerland on 4 May 1913. Voters were asked whether they approved of amending two articles of the constitution, 31 II, lit d and 69, which covered the control of human and animal diseases. It was approved by a majority of voters and cantons.
A referendum on a war tax was held in Switzerland on 6 June 1915. Voters were asked whether they approved of amending the constitution to introduce a one-off war tax during the First World War, which Switzerland remained neutral. It was approved by a large majority of voters and all cantons, the first time a referendum had been passed in every canton.
A referendum on stamp duty was held in Switzerland on 13 May 1917. Voters were asked whether they approved of amending articles 41bis and 42 lit d of the constitution, which covered stamp duty. The proposal was approved by a majority of voters and cantons.
A referendum on grain supply was held in Switzerland on 5 December 1926. Voters were asked whether they approved of adding article 23bis to the constitution, which concerned grain supply. The proposal was rejected by a majority of voters and cantons.
Three referendums were held in Switzerland during 1894. The first was held on 4 March on a federal resolution to amend the constitution regarding trade and commerce, and was rejected by a majority of voters and cantons. The second was held on 3 June on a popular initiative on the right to work, and was rejected by a majority of voters and all cantons. The third was held on 4 November 1894 on a popular initiative on a partial contribution to tariffs from the cantons, and was also rejected by a majority of voters and cantons.
Three referendums were held in Switzerland during 1895. The first was held on 3 February on a popular initiative on a federal law on Swiss embassies abroad, and was rejected by a majority of voters. The second was held on 29 September on a federal resolution on amending the constitution regarding the institution of a match monopoly, and was rejected by a majority of voters and cantons. The third was held on 3 November on a constitutional amendment regarding the military, and was also rejected by a majority of voters and cantons.
Three referendums were held in Switzerland during 1898. The first was held on 20 February on a federal law that would nationalise the railways, and was approved by a majority of voters, leading to the establishment of Swiss Federal Railways in 1902. The second and third referendums were held on 13 November on revising article 64 and adding article 64bis to the constitution, both of which were approved by a majority of voters and cantons.
Three referendums were held in Switzerland during 1897. The first was held on 28 February on a federal law establishing a Central Bank, and was rejected by a majority of voters. The second and third were held on 11 July concerning an amendment to article 24 of the constitution and on legislation on potentially harmful foodstuffs and stimulants. Both were approved by a majority of voters and cantons.
Four referendums were held in Switzerland during 1903. The first was held on 15 March on a federal law on tariffs, and was approved by 59.6% of voters. The second, third and fourth were all held on 25 October concerning an amendment to the federal criminal law, a popular initiative on Swiss residents electing the National Council and an amendment to article 32bis of the constitution. All three were rejected by voters.
Three referendums were held in Switzerland during 1908. The first two were held on 5 July on amending the federal trade law and on banning absinthe. Both were approved by a majority of voters and cantons. The third was held on 25 October on adding article 24bis to the constitution, concerning hydroelectricity and electricity. It was also approved by a majority of voters and cantons.
Three referendums were held in Switzerland during 1919. The first two were held on 4 May on amending the constitution to add article 24ter on shipping, and on a constitutional amendment to impose a war tax. Both proposals were approved by a majority of voters and cantons. The third was held on 10 August on temporary amendments to article 73 of the constitution, and was also approved in spite of low turnout.
Four referendums were held in Switzerland during 1921. The first two were held on 30 January on holding referendums on treaties that would be valid for at least 15 years and on abolishing the military judiciary. The treaty proposal was approved, whilst the abolishment of the military judiciary was rejected. The third and fourth were held on 22 May on add articles 37bis and 37ter on road traffic and aviation to the constitution, and on only adding article 37ter on aviation. Both were approved.
Two referendums were held in Switzerland during 1928. The first was held on 20 May, asking voters whether they approved of amending article 44 of the constitution regarding measures against foreign infiltrators, and was approved by a majority of voters and cantons. The second was held on 2 December, asking voters whether they approved of the "Kursaalspiele" popular initiative on gambling, and was also approved.
Five referendums were held in Switzerland during 1931. The first was held on 8 February on a federal resolution on a petition for a referendum on article 12 of the constitution concerning bans on religious orders, and was approved by a majority of voters and cantons. The second and third were held on 15 March on revising article 72 of the constitution concerning the election of the National Council and on revising article 76, 96 and 105 on the legislative term. Both were approved. The fourth and fifth were held on 6 December on a federal law on aged and bereavement insurance and a federal law on tobacco taxation. Both were rejected.
Three referendums were held in Switzerland during 1947. The first was held on 18 May on a popular initiative for "economic reform and rights concerning work", and was rejected by voters. The second and third were both held on 6 July on revising the articles of the federal constitution covering the economy and a federal law on aged and bereavement insurance. Both were approved by voters.
Four referendums were held in Switzerland during 1949. The first two were held on 22 May on revising article 39 of the federal constitution concerning the Swiss National Bank and a federal law amending a 1928 law on measures against tuberculosis, with both rejected by voters. The third was held on 11 September on a popular initiative "for the recurrence to direct democracy" and was narrowly approved. The final one was held on 11 December on a federal law to amend the employment status of federal civil servants, and was also approved.
