1903 Swiss referendums

Last updated

Four referendums were held in Switzerland during 1903. [1] The first was held on 15 March on a federal law on tariffs, and was approved by 59.6% of voters. [1] 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. [1] All three were rejected by voters. [1]

Contents

Background

The referendums on tariffs and the federal criminal law were optional referendums, [1] which required only a majority of the public vote. [2] The referendum on the changes to National Council elections was popular initiative and the referendum on the constitutional amendment was a mandatory referendum, [1] both of which required a double majority; a majority of the popular vote and majority of the cantons. [2] The decision of each canton was based on the vote in that canton. [2] Full cantons counted as one vote, whilst half cantons counted as half. [2]

Results

Tariffs

ChoiceVotes%
For332,00159.6
Against225,12340.4
Blank votes3,529
Invalid votes2,216
Total562,869100
Registered voters/turnout768,12573.3
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

Criminal law

ChoiceVotes%
For117,69430.8
Against264,08569.2
Blank votes15,099
Invalid votes12,007
Total408,885100
Registered voters/turnout768,10553.2
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

National Council elections

ChoicePopular voteCantons
Votes%FullHalfTotal
For95,13124.4324
Against295,08575.616418
Blank votes13,460
Invalid votes5,363
Total409,03910019622
Registered voters/turnout768,10553.3
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

Amendment of article 32bis of the constitution

ChoicePopular voteCantons
Votes%FullHalfTotal
For156,77740.7404
Against228,09459.315618
Blank votes14,674
Invalid votes8,307
Total407,85210019622
Registered voters/turnout768,10553.1
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

Related Research Articles

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.

Three referendums were held in Switzerland during 1900. The first was held on 20 May on a federal law on health, accident and military insurance, and was rejected by 69.8% of voters. The second and third were held on 4 November on introducing proportional representation for National Council elections and the direct election and increase in members of the Federal Council. Both were rejected by a majority of voters and cantons.

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.

Two referendums were held in Switzerland during 1918. The first was held on 2 June on introducing a direct federal tax, and was rejected by a majority of voters and cantons. The second was held on 13 October 1918 on introducing proportional representation for National Council elections, and was approved by a majority of voters and cantons. As a result, proportional representation was introduced in the 1919 elections.

Five referendums were held in Switzerland during 1922. The first three were held on 11 June on the process of obtaining Swiss citizenship, on expelling foreigners and on the eligibility of federal officials to stand in National Council elections. All three were rejected. The fourth was held on 24 September on an amendment of the criminal law regarding constitutional and domestic security, and was also rejected. The fifth was held on 3 December on introducing a one-off property tax, and was rejected by a wide margin.

Four referendums were held in Switzerland during 1923. The first two were held on 18 February on protective custody and a federal resolution on relations with France over the former free trade area of Haute-Savoie. The third was held on 15 April on a popular initiative "for the ensuring of people's rights in questions regarding tariffs", whilst the fourth was held on 3 June on amending articles 31 and 32bis of the constitution regarding alcohol. All four were rejected by voters.

Three referendums were held in Switzerland during 1925. The first was held on 24 May on a popular initiative calling for insurance for invalidity, old age and bereavement, and was rejected by voters. The second was held on 25 October on a federal resolution on the settlement and residence of foreigners, and was approved by a majority of voters and cantons. The third was held on 6 December on a federal resolution on insurance for invalidity, old age and bereavement, and was also approved by a majority of voters and cantons.

A double referendum was held in Switzerland on 15 May 1927. Voters were asked whether they approved of amending article 30 of the constitution and a federal law on car and bicycle traffic. The constitutional amendment was approved by voters, whilst the traffic law was rejected.

Five referendums were held in Switzerland during 1929. The first three were held on 3 March on the issues of grain supply and a federal law on tariffs. The counter-proposal to the grain supply question and the tariffs law were both approved. The fourth and fifth referendums were held on 12 May on popular initiatives on road traffic and banning spirits. Both were rejected by voters.

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.

Four referendums were held in Switzerland during 1935. The first was held on 24 February on a federal law reorganising the military, and was approved by voters. The second was held on 5 May on a federal law on the transport of goods and animals on roads, and was rejected by two-thirds of voters. The third was held on 2 June on a popular initiative "to combat the economic crisis" and was also rejected by voters. The fourth was held on 8 September on a popular initiative "for a total revision of the federal constitution", and was rejected by 72% of voters.

Six referendums were held in Switzerland during 1938. The first four were held on 20 February; the first on amending articles 107 and 116 of the constitution to make Romansch an official language, which was approved by over 90% of voters and all cantons. The second was on a popular initiative "on urgent federal resolutions and the protection of people's rights" and was rejected by 85% of voters. The third was on a popular initiative on the private arms industry, and was also rejected by a wide margin, whilst the fourth was on a counter-proposal to the arms industry question, and was approved by voters. The fifth referendum was held on 3 July on the penal code, and was approved. The sixth and final referendum of the year was held on 27 November on a federal resolution on the transient order of the federal budget, and was approved by 72% of voters.

Four referendums were held in Switzerland during 1939. The first two were held on 22 January on a popular initiative on civil rights and a federal resolution on the restricted use of the urgency clause in the constitution. The third was held on 4 June on a constitutional amendment regarding the funding for government policies on defence and unemployment, and was approved by voters. The fourth was held on 3 December on a federal law on the employment status and insurance for federal civil servants, and was rejected by voters.

Two referendums were held in Switzerland during 1942. The first was held on 25 January on a popular initiative that would provide for the direct election of the Federal Council, as well as increasing the number of members. It was rejected by voters. The second was held on 3 May on a popular initiative "for the reorganisation of the National Council", and was also 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.

Five referendums were held in Switzerland during 1950. The first was held on 29 January on extending a federal resolution on promoting housebuilding, and was rejected by voters. The second was held on 4 June on the federal budget, and was also rejected by voters. The third was held on 1 October on a popular initiative "for the protection of ground and labour by prohibiting speculation", and was rejected by voters. The final two were held on 3 December on revising article 72 of the constitution regarding the election of the National Council and a federal resolution on financial order between 1951 and 1954. Both were approved by voters.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Nohlen, D & Stöver, P (2010) Elections in Europe: A data handbook, p1906 ISBN   9783832956097
  2. 1 2 3 4 Nohlen & Stöver, p1891