General

Every legislative resolution passed by Parliament that has not been declared urgent, as well as every financial resolution that has not been declared urgent by Parliament, is subject to a popular vote (optional referendum) if it involves a one-off new expenditure of at least CHF 500,000 or an annually recurring new expenditure of CHF 250,000.

Within 30 days of the official announcement of the corresponding provincial parliament resolution, at least 1,000 provincial citizens entitled to vote or at least three municipalities may submit a request for a referendum in the form of concurring municipal assembly resolutions. In the case of the Constitution as a whole or individual parts thereof or a resolution of the Landtag concerning the approval of an international treaty, this request must be supported by at least 1,500 citizens of the Land entitled to vote or four municipalities.

Ongoing referendums

Collective petition

The signature form must include

• Municipality: The municipality in which the voters submitting the petition reside;
• Parliamentary resolution: Exact description of the parliamentary resolution to be voted on;
• Start date: The start date of the collection of signatures;
• Authentication: Sufficient space must be provided on the signature sheet for the signatures to be notarized by the municipal administration.

Each person entitled to vote shall provide the following information:

• Date of signature;
• First name and surname;
• exact address;
• handwritten signature.

Authentication by the municipality

The eligibility to vote of the signatories must be certified by the municipal council of the municipality in which they exercise their political rights. Verification by the municipality is confirmed with a signature and municipal stamp. The municipality also confirms the total number of valid signatures on each form.

Certification by the municipality must take place within the referendum deadline. It is free of charge.

As it takes a certain amount of time to check and certify the signature forms and only the municipal council or its representative may certify the signatures, we recommend contacting the municipalities as early as possible, especially during school vacation periods.

Examination of requests and publication

The government examines the submissions received from the petitioners for their legality and determines the number of signatures. The result is published. If the request for a referendum is valid, the government orders a referendum within 14 days at the latest, which must be held within three months.

Further information

Law on the exercise of popular political rights in national matters