1931 Swiss referendums

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Five referendums were held in Switzerland during 1931. [1] 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. [1] 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. [1] Both were approved. [1] 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. [1]

Contents

Background

The February and March referendums were "obligatory", [1] requiring 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] The December referendums were "optional", [1] and required only a majority of the public vote. [2]

Results

February: Petition for a referendum on article 12

ChoicePopular voteCantons
Votes%FullHalfTotal
For293,84570.214617
Against124,80429.8505
Blank votes39,649
Invalid votes2,142
Total460,44010019622
Registered voters/turnout1,100,67041.8
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

March: Election of the National Council

ChoicePopular voteCantons
Votes%FullHalfTotal
For296,05353.911513.5
Against253,38246.1818.5
Blank votes38,517
Invalid votes2,490
Total590,44210019622
Registered voters/turnout1,104,11353.5
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

March: Legislative terms

ChoicePopular voteCantons
Votes%FullHalfTotal
For297,93853.714416
Against256,91946.3526
Blank votes33,477
Invalid votes2,108
Total590,44210019622
Registered voters/turnout1,104,11353.5
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

December: Aged and bereavement insurance

ChoiceVotes%
For338,03239.7
Against513,51260.3
Blank votes24,846
Invalid votes2,673
Total879,063100
Registered voters/turnout1,124,88178.1
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

December: Tobacco tax

ChoiceVotes%
For423,52349.9
Against425,44950.1
Blank votes27,498
Invalid votes2,593
Total879,063100
Registered voters/turnout1,124,88178.1
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Nohlen, D & Stöver, P (2010) Elections in Europe: A data handbook, pp. 1910–1911. ISBN   9783832956097
  2. 1 2 3 4 Nohlen & Stöver, p. 1891.