1910 Swiss electoral system referendum

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1910 Swiss electoral system referendum
Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg
23 October 1910

Federal popular initiative "for the proportional representation of the National Council"
Results
Choice
Votes %
Check-71-128-204-brightblue.svg Yes240,30547.54%
Light brown x.svg No265,19452.46%
Valid votes505,49998.44%
Invalid or blank votes8,0351.56%
Total votes513,534100.00%
Registered voters/turnout823,67962.35%

A referendum on the electoral system was held in Switzerland on 23 October 1910. [1] Voters were asked whether they approved of introducing proportional representation for National Council elections. [1] Although the proposal was approved by a majority of cantons, it was rejected by 52.5% of voters. [1] This was the second such referendum, after the one in 1900 also failed. However, a third referendum on the same issue was held in 1918, and passed with 66.8% in favour. [1]

Contents

Background

The referendum was a public initiative, [1] 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

ChoicePopular voteCantons
Votes%FullHalfTotal
For240,30547.510412
Against265,19452.59210
Blank votes6,064
Invalid votes1,971
Total513,53410019622
Registered voters/turnout823,67962.3
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Nohlen, D & Stöver, P (2010) Elections in Europe: A data handbook, p1907 ISBN   9783832956097
  2. 1 2 3 Nohlen & Stöver, p1891