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A two-part referendum was held in Switzerland on 23 May 1875. [1] A new federal law establishing and certifying civil status and marriage was narrowly approved, whilst a new federal law on suffrage was narrowly rejected. [1]
This was the first optional referendum held in the country, as all previous referendums had been mandatory referendums. [2] Whilst obligatory referendums required both a majority of voters and a majority of cantons in favour, optional referendums required only a majority of the public vote. [3]
| Choice | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
| For | 213,199 | 51.0 |
| Against | 205,069 | 49.0 |
| Invalid/blank votes | – | |
| Total | 418,268 | 100 |
| Registered voters/turnout | ||
| Source: Nohlen & Stöver | ||
| Choice | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
| For | 202,583 | 49.4 |
| Against | 207,263 | 50.6 |
| Invalid/blank votes | – | |
| Total | 409,846 | 100 |
| Registered voters/turnout | ||
| Source: Nohlen & Stöver | ||
