Ten referendums were held in Switzerland in 1976.[1] The first two were held on 21 March on an popular initiatives "for employees' participation" (with a counter-proposal; both were rejected), and "for taxation reform" (also rejected).[2] 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).[2]
Two referendums were held on 26 September on an amendment to the Swiss Federal Constitution on broadcasting (rejected) and a popular initiative "for liability insurance by the union for motor vehicles and bicycless" (rejected). The final three referendums were held on 5 December on monetary policy (approved), price monitoring (approved) and a popular initiative to introduce a 40-hour working week (rejected).
Results
March: Employees' participation
Choice |
Popular initiative |
Counterproposal |
Popular vote |
Cantons |
Popular vote |
Cantons |
Votes |
% |
Full |
Half |
Total |
Votes |
% |
Full |
Half |
Total |
For | 472,094 | 32.4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 431,690 | 29.6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Against | 966,140 | 66.3 | 19 | 6 | 22 | 974,695 | 66.9 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
No answer | 19,725 | 1.4 | – | – | – | 51,574 | 3.5 | – | – | – |
Blank votes | 15,198 | – | – | – | – | 15,198 | – | – | – | – |
Invalid votes | 6,248 | – | – | – | – | 6,248 | – | – | – | – |
Total | 1,479,405 | 100 | 19 | 6 | 22 | 1,479,405 | 100 | 19 | 6 | 22 |
Registered voters/turnout | 3,750,162 | 39.4 | – | – | – | 3,750,162 | 39.4 | – | – | – |
Source: Direct Democracy |
March: Taxation reform
Choice |
Votes |
% |
For | 599,053 | 42.2 |
Against | 819,830 | 57.8 |
Blank votes | 53,291 | – |
Invalid votes | 1,911 | – |
Total | 1,474,085 | 100 |
Registered voters/turnout | 3,750,162 | 39.3 |
Source: Nohlen & Stöver |
June: Spatial planning
Choice |
Votes |
% |
For | 626,134 | 48.9 |
Against | 654,233 | 51.1 |
Blank votes | 17,061 | – |
Invalid votes | 1,237 | – |
Total | 1,298,665 | 100 |
Registered voters/turnout | 3,756,474 | 34.6 |
Source: Nohlen & Stöver |
June: General tariff
Choice |
Votes |
% |
For | 646,687 | 48.2 |
Against | 694,252 | 51.8 |
Blank votes | 26,004 | – |
Invalid votes | 1,589 | – |
Total | 1,368,532 | 100 |
Registered voters/turnout | 3,756,474 | 34.5 |
Source: Nohlen & Stöver |
June: Unemployment insurance
Choice |
Popular vote |
Cantons |
Votes |
% |
Full |
Half |
Total |
For | 866,211 | 68.3 | 18 | 6 | 21 |
Against | 402,550 | 31.7 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Blank votes | 26,901 | – | – | – | – |
Invalid votes | 1,312 | – | – | – | – |
Total | 1,296,974 | 100 | 19 | 6 | 22 |
Registered voters/turnout | 3,756,474 | 34.5 | – | – | – |
Source: Nohlen & Stöver |
September: Constitutional amendment on broadcasting
Choice |
Popular vote |
Cantons |
Votes |
% |
Full |
Half |
Total |
For | 531,328 | 43.3 | 3 | 1 | 3.5 |
Against | 696,039 | 56.7 | 16 | 5 | 18.5 |
Blank votes | 33,027 | – | – | – | – |
Invalid votes | 1,586 | – | – | – | – |
Total | 1,261,980 | 100 | 19 | 6 | 22 |
Registered voters/turnout | 3,766,161 | 33.5 | – | – | – |
Source: Nohlen & Stöver |
September: Liability insurance
Choice |
Popular vote |
Cantons |
Votes |
% |
Full |
Half |
Total |
For | 301,587 | 24.3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Against | 939,713 | 75.7 | 19 | 6 | 22 |
Blank votes | 20,543 | – | – | – | – |
Invalid votes | 1,355 | – | – | – | – |
Total | 1,263,198 | 100 | 19 | 6 | 22 |
Registered voters/turnout | 3,766,161 | 33.5 | – | – | – |
Source: Nohlen & Stöver |
December: Monetary policy
Choice |
Popular vote |
Cantons |
Votes |
% |
Full |
Half |
Total |
For | 1,108,413 | 70.3 | 19 | 6 | 22 |
Against | 467,253 | 29.7 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Blank votes | 112,847 | – | – | – | – |
Invalid votes | 2,998 | – | – | – | – |
Total | 1,691,511 | 100 | 19 | 6 | 22 |
Registered voters/turnout | 3,772,466 | 44.8 | – | – | – |
Source: Nohlen & Stöver |
December: Price monitoring
Choice |
Popular vote |
Cantons |
Votes |
% |
Full |
Half |
Total |
For | 1,365,788 | 82.0 | 19 | 6 | 22 |
Against | 299,367 | 18.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Blank votes | 32,177 | – | – | – | – |
Invalid votes | 2,286 | – | – | – | – |
Total | 1,699,618 | 100 | 19 | 6 | 22 |
Registered voters/turnout | 3,772,466 | 45.1 | – | – | – |
Source: Nohlen & Stöver |
December: 40-hour working week
Choice |
Popular vote |
Cantons |
Votes |
% |
Full |
Half |
Total |
For | 370,228 | 22.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Against | 1,315,822 | 78.0 | 19 | 6 | 22 |
Blank votes | 15,309 | – | – | – | – |
Invalid votes | 2,140 | – | – | – | – |
Total | 1,703,499 | 100 | 19 | 6 | 22 |
Registered voters/turnout | 3,772,466 | 45.2 | – | – | – |
Source: Nohlen & Stöver |
References