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.
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.
Seven referendums were held in Switzerland during 1958. The first was held on 26 January on a popular initiative "against the abuse of economic power", concerning unfair competition, and was rejected by voters. The second was held on 11 May on the federal budget, and was approved by voters. The third and fourth were held on 6 July on introducing a new section 27ter to the constitution concerning films, and a petition to improve the road network, both of which were approved. The fifth referendum was held on 26 October on instituting a 44-hour working week, and was rejected by voters. The final two were held on 7 December on a constitutional amendment on gambling and approving a treaty with Italy on a hydroelectric power scheme on the River Spöl, with both approved.
Five referendums were held in Switzerland in 1970. The first was held on 1 February on a federal resolution on the domestic sugar market, and was approved by voters. The second was held on 7 June on a popular initiative "against foreign infiltration", and was rejected by voters. The third and fourth were held on 27 September on an amendment to the Swiss Federal Constitution regarding promoting gymnastics and sports, which was approved, and a popular initiative on the "right to habitation and expansion of family protection", which was rejected. The fifth was held on 15 November on an amendment to the federal financial order, which was rejected due to not enough cantons voting in favour.
Seven referendums were held in Switzerland in 1972. The first two were held on 5 March on a popular initiative on the promotion of housebuilding and on an amendment to the Swiss Federal Constitution to protect tenants. The popular initiative was rejected, whilst the constitutional amendment was approved. The third and fourth were held on 4 June on measures to stabilise the federal construction market and protecting currency, both of which were approved. The fifth was held on 24 September on a popular initiative for enhanced arms control and a ban on weapon exports, but was narrowly rejected. The final two were held on 3 December on a popular initiative on introducing a "people's pension" and on an agreement with the European Community. The pensions initiative was rejected, whilst the agreement was approved.
Ten referendums were held in Switzerland in 1976. The first two were held on 21 March on popular initiatives "for employees' participation", and "for taxation reform". The next three were held on 13 June on a federal law on spatial planning (rejected), a CHF 200 million loan to the International Development Association (rejected), and renewing unemployment insurance (approved).
Fourteen referendums were held in Switzerland in 1977. The first three were held on 13 March on popular initiatives on foreign infiltration, limiting naturalisation and changing the rules on referendums on treaties. All three were rejected, whilst the counter-proposal was approved. The next two were held on 12 June on changes to sales tax and direct federal taxation (rejected) and on tax harmonisation (approved).
Four referendums were held in Switzerland in 1981. The first was held on 5 April on a popular initiative "for a new policy on foreigners." Known as the "Mitenand Initiative", it was rejected by 84% of voters. The next two referendums were held on 14 June on popular initiatives for gender equality and the protection of consumer rights, both of which were approved. The final referendum was held on 29 November on prolonging the federal finance order, and was also approved.
Six referendums were held in Switzerland in 1979. The first four were held on 18 February on reducing the voting age to 18 (rejected), a popular initiative "for the promotion of footpaths and hiking trails" (approved), "against advertising for addictive drugs" (rejected) and "for ensuring people's rights and the security of nuclear power installations" (rejected).
Eleven referendums were held in Switzerland during 2001. The first three were held on 4 March on popular initiatives on joining the European Union, lowering medicine prices and lowering the urban speed limit to 30 km/h in most places. All three were rejected by voters. The next three referendums were held on 10 June on two separate amendments to the federal law on the Swiss army and on a federal resolution on abolishing the requirement for a permit to establish a diocese, all of which were approved.
Twelve referendums were held in Switzerland in 1985. The first four were held on 10 March on abolishing primary school fees (approved), abolishing the government contribution to healthcare spending (approved), a federal resolution on education fees (rejected) and a popular initiative on extending paid leave (rejected). The next set of four was held on 9 June on the "right to life" popular initiative (rejected), abolishing the cantonal share of profits from banks' stamp duty (approved), a federal resolution on the taxation raised from the sale of spirits (approved), and the abolition of grants for the self-supply of breadstuffs (approved).
Six referendums were held in Switzerland in 1986. The first was held on 16 March on joining the United Nations, but was rejected by 76% of voters. The next three were held on 29 September on popular initiatives on culture and vocational education and a federal resolution on the domestic sugar economy. All three were rejected, including the counter-proposal to the culture initiative.
Ten referendums were held in Switzerland in 1990. The first six were held on 1 April on four popular initiatives, a federal resolution on viticulture and an amendment to the federal law on the organisation of the federal judiciary. The four popular initiatives were all related to roadbuilding; "Stop the concrete – for a limitation on road making," "for an autobahn-free countryside between Murten and Yverdon," "for an autobahn-free Knonauer Amt," and "for a free Aarelandschaft between Biel and Solothurn/Zuchwil." All six were rejected by voters.
Fifteen referendums were held in Switzerland during 1992. The first two were held on 16 February on popular initiatives "for a financially bearable health insurance" and "for the drastic and stepwise limitation of animal experiments." Both were rejected by voters. The next seven were held on 17 May on joining and contributing to the Bretton Woods system, a federal law on water protection (approved), a popular initiative "for the recovery of our waters" (rejected), a federal resolution on the popular initiative "against the malpractice of gene technology on humans" (approved), a federal resolution on creating a civilian service alternative to military service (approved) and a change to the Strafgesetzbuch and the Military and Penal Codes on sexual integrity (approved).
Sixteen referendums were held in Switzerland during 1993. The first three were held on 7 March on a federal law to raise fuel taxes (approved), a federal resolution on lifting the ban on gambling establishments (approved) and a popular initiative on banning animal testing (rejected). The next two were held on 6 June on two popular initiatives; "40 military training areas are enough–environment projection at military" and "for a Switzerland without new warplanes". Both were rejected by voters.
Eight referendums were held in Switzerland during 2002. The first two were held on 3 March on popular initiatives for Switzerland to join the United Nations and to reduce working hours. UN membership was approved, whilst the shorter working hours proposal was rejected. The next two were held on 2 June on amending the penal code regarding abortion, which was approved, and a popular initiative "for mother and child", which was rejected.
Thirteen referendums were held in Switzerland during 1994. The first five were held on 20 February on federal resolutions on roadbuilding, continuing existing truck tolls and varying tolls based on engine power or mileage, as well as a popular initiative "for the protection of the alpine region from through traffic" and an amendment to the aeronautical law. All five were approved by voters. The second set of referendums was held on 12 June on federal resolutions on an article on the Swiss Federal Constitution on the promotion of culture and a review of the procedure for naturalising young immigrants, as well as a federal law on Swiss troops in peacekeeping operations. Whilst the resolutions were both approved by a majority of voters, they did not receive the approval from the majority of cantons, so were rejected, as was the law on troops.
Ten referendums were held in Switzerland during 1998. The first three were held on 7 June on a federal resolution on a balanced budget and two popular initiatives "for the protection of life and environment against genetic engineering " and "Switzerland without secret police". Whilst the balanced budget proposal was approved, both popular initiatives were rejected by voters. The next three referendums were held on 27 September on a federal law on truck tolls based on engine size and two popular initiatives "for well-priced foodstuffs and ecological farms" and "10th revision of the Aged and Bereaved Insurance without raising the retirement age". Whilst the toll law was approved, both initiatives were rejected.
Fifteen referendums were held in Switzerland during 2000. The first five were held on 12 March on reforming the judiciary and four popular initiatives; "for speeding up direct democracy ", "for a just representation of women in federal authorities", "for the protection of men against manipulations in procreation technology" and one to reduce motorised road by 50%. Whilst the judiciary reform was approved, all four popular initiatives were rejected. The next referendum was held on 21 May to authorise sectoral agreements between Switzerland and the European Union, and was approved by around two-thirds of voters.
Eleven referendums were held in Switzerland during 2003. The first two were held on 9 February on federal resolutions on reforming the referendum process and changing the cantonal contribution to financing hospital medication. Both were approved. The last nine were all held on 18 May on two federal laws on the Swiss army and civil defence, and seven popular initiatives; "yes to fair rents", "for one Sunday a season free from motor vehicles–a test for four years", "health has to be affordable", "equal rights for the disabled", "electricity without nuclear power", "for prolonging the ban on new nuclear power stations" and "for a sufficient provision of vocational education". Whilst the two laws were approved, all nine initiatives were rejected by voters.
Switzerlandportal 
