Swiss Referenda
Upcoming Popular Votes
e-Voting
Important note: No Swiss living abroad will be able to use e-voting in the upcoming Popular Initiatives. If you are not registered to vote, don't delay and contact the Swiss Embassy London or consular representation without delay here >
Our tireless UK Delegates report back on issues affecting Swiss Abroad, one of which is e-Voting. For the current status and links to more in-depth analysis, visit our dedicated page on e-Voting >
Previous Votes 2021
On the 7th of March 2021 the Swiss electorate voted on the following Popular initiatives
1. Yes to a ban on full facial coverings
Summary of the initiative >
A link to the vote results is on the page
2. Federal Act on Electronic Identification Services (e-ID Act)
Summary of the initiative >
A link to the vote results is on the page
3. Economic partnership agreement with Indonesia
Summary of the iniative >
A link to the vote results is on the page
All you need to know about upcoming Initiatives & Referenda: https://www.ch.ch/
Sunday, 13 June 2021 Voting:
The Covid-19 pandemic has failed to thwart direct democracy. On 13 June, voters gave their verdict on five more proposals – two initiatives and three referendums. Here are the issues voted on.
The results on each with cantonal percentages can be viewed on the SwissInfo website >
Clean Drinking Water initiative: According to this initiative (brought by citizens with no affiliation to any political party), subsidies should only go to farmers who refrain from using pesticides, antibiotics and bought-in fodder. Furthermore, the federal government should only fund agricultural research and education that meets these criteria.
RESULT: REJECTED
Pesticide initiative: This initiative seeks to ban synthetic pesticides in Switzerland – not only in agriculture, but in soil and land management too. The import of food containing pesticides or produced using pesticides would also be banned. A non-party pressure group is behind this proposal as well.
RESULT: REJECTED
CO2 Act: The Federal Act on the Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions (CO2 Act) tightens the CO2 emission limits for vehicles and increases tax on petrol and fuel. An SVP-backed campaign group representing affected industries opposes the CO2 Act. Climate strike activists in French-speaking Switzerland have also voiced their dissent, saying the measures do not go far enough in the fight against climate.
RESULT: REJECTED
Anti-Terror Act: Under the Federal Act on Police Counterterrorism Measures, the courts are permitted to place people aged 15 or over under house arrest. The police may also take action to restrict the movements of children aged 12 or over. A number of party youth wings across the political spectrum are opposed to the legislation, calling it a “brazen attack on the rule of law”.
RESULT: ACCEPTED
Covid-19 Act: The legal framework for emergency measures by the Federal Council to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic is already in force and will apply until the end of 2021. However, the Friends of the Constitution have called a referendum to repeal the Covid-19 Act, saying that the legislation is unnecessary, unethical and dangerous. Activists fear that the Covid-19 Act will set a precedent for further “government diktats”.
RESULT: ACCEPTED
e-Voting: Current Situation
Important note: No Swiss living abroad will be able to use e-voting in the upcoming Popular Initiatives. If you are not registered to vote, don't delay and contact the Swiss Embassy London or consular representation without delay here >
Our tireless UK Delegates report back on issues affecting Swiss Abroad, one of which is e-Voting. For the current status and links to more in-depth analysis, visit our dedicated page on e-Voting >
Voting rights of Swiss citizens abroad
Swiss citizens aged 18 and over – including Swiss citizens abroad – are entitled to vote at federal level. Some cantons and communes also grant the right to vote at cantonal and communal level to Swiss citizens abroad, and in certain cases to non-Swiss citizens.
If you are a Swiss citizen abroad, you can vote at federal level (e.g. in National Council elections). To vote, you must be registered with your Swiss representation abroad, which in the UK is the Swiss Embassy London. You must also be registered on the electoral roll of your last commune of residence in Switzerland or, if you have never lived in Switzerland, in your place of origin.
Voting rights of Swiss citizens abroad: information and forms
