1929 Swiss referendums

Last updated

Five referendums were held in Switzerland during 1929. [1] The first three were held on 3 March on the issues of grain supply (a proposal and counter-proposal) and a federal law on tariffs. [1] The counter-proposal to the grain supply question and the tariffs law were both approved. [1] The fourth and fifth referendums were held on 12 May on popular initiatives on road traffic and banning spirits. [1] Both were rejected by voters. [1]

Contents

Background

The grain supply, road traffic and spirits referendums were popular initiatives, [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] The tariffs law question was an optional referendum, [1] requiring only a majority of voters in favour. [2]

Results

Grain supply

ChoicePopular voteCantons
Votes%FullHalfTotal
For18,4872.7000
Against672,00497.319622
Blank votes15,926
Invalid votes9,446
Total720,98310019622
Registered voters/turnout1,071,93467.3
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

Grain supply counterproposal

ChoicePopular voteCantons
Votes%FullHalfTotal
For461,17666.818621
Against228,35733.1101
No answer9580.1
Blank votes15,926
Invalid votes9,446
Total715,86310019622
Registered voters/turnout1,071,93466.8
Source: Direct Democracy

Tariffs law

ChoiceVotes%
For454,53566.4
Against229,80133.6
Blank votes34,359
Invalid votes2,288
Total720,983100
Registered voters/turnout1,071,93467.3
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

Road traffic initiative

ChoicePopular voteCantons
Votes%FullHalfTotal
For248,35037.2223
Against420,08262.817419
Blank votes29,684
Invalid votes2,163
Total700,27910019622
Registered voters/turnout1,075,95065.1
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

Spirits ban

ChoicePopular voteCantons
Votes%FullHalfTotal
For226,79432.7010.5
Against467,72467.319521.5
Blank votes18,274
Invalid votes1,718
Total714,51010019622
Registered voters/turnout1,075,95066.4
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

Related Research Articles

A referendum on the electoral system was held in Switzerland on 23 October 1910. Voters were asked whether they approved of introducing proportional representation for National Council elections. Although the proposal was approved by a majority of cantons, it was rejected by 52.5% of voters. 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.

A referendum on grain supply was held in Switzerland on 5 December 1926. Voters were asked whether they approved of adding article 23bis to the constitution, which concerned grain supply. The proposal was rejected by a majority of voters and cantons.

A referendum on real estate was held in Switzerland on 2 July 1967. Voters were asked whether they approved of a popular initiative against real estate speculation. The proposal was rejected by a majority of voters and cantons.

A referendum on freemasonry was held in Switzerland on 28 November 1937. Voters were asked whether they approved of a popular initiative that would ban the practice. The proposal was rejected by a majority of voters and cantons.

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 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.

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

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.

Five referendums were held in Switzerland during 1920. The first three were held on 21 March on a federal law on regulating employment contracts, a ban on creating gambling establishments and a counterproposal to the ban. The fourth was held on 16 May on membership the League of Nations, whilst the fifth was held on 31 October on a federal law on working times on railways and other transport services. Of the five, only the ban on gambling establishments, League of Nations membership and the law on working times were passed.

Four referendums were held in Switzerland during 1921. The first two were held on 30 January on holding referendums on treaties that would be valid for at least 15 years and on abolishing the military judiciary. The treaty proposal was approved, whilst the abolishment of the military judiciary was rejected. The third and fourth were held on 22 May on add articles 37bis and 37ter on road traffic and aviation to the constitution, and on only adding article 37ter on aviation. Both were approved.

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.

Two referendums were held in Switzerland during 1928. The first was held on 20 May, asking voters whether they approved of amending article 44 of the constitution regarding measures against foreign infiltrators, and was approved by a majority of voters and cantons. The second was held on 2 December, asking voters whether they approved of the "Kursaalspiele" popular initiative on gambling, and was also approved.

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.

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.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Nohlen, D & Stöver, P (2010) Elections in Europe: A data handbook, p1910 ISBN   9783832956097
  2. 1 2 3 4 Nohlen & Stöver, p1891