Five referendums were held in Switzerland during 1931.[1] The first was held on 8 February on a federal resolution on a petition for a referendum on article 12 of the constitution concerning bans on religious orders, and was approved by a majority of voters and cantons.[1] The second and third were held on 15 March on revising article 72 of the constitution concerning the election of the National Council and on revising article 76, 96 and 105 on the legislative term.[1] Both were approved.[1] The fourth and fifth were held on 6 December on a federal law on aged and bereavement insurance and a federal law on tobacco taxation. Both were rejected.[1]
The February and March referendums were "obligatory",[1] requiring 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 December referendums were "optional",[1] and required only a majority of the public vote.[2]
| Choice | Popular vote | Cantons | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | Full | Half | Total | |
| For | 293,845 | 70.2 | 14 | 6 | 17 |
| Against | 124,804 | 29.8 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| Blank votes | 39,649 | – | – | – | – |
| Invalid votes | 2,142 | – | – | – | – |
| Total | 460,440 | 100 | 19 | 6 | 22 |
| Registered voters/turnout | 1,100,670 | 41.8 | – | – | – |
| align=left colspan=6 | Source: Nohlen & Stöver | ||||
| Choice | Popular vote | Cantons | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | Full | Half | Total | |
| For | 296,053 | 53.9 | 11 | 5 | 13.5 |
| Against | 253,382 | 46.1 | 8 | 1 | 8.5 |
| Blank votes | 38,517 | – | – | – | – |
| Invalid votes | 2,490 | – | – | – | – |
| Total | 590,442 | 100 | 19 | 6 | 22 |
| Registered voters/turnout | 1,104,113 | 53.5 | – | – | – |
| align=left colspan=6 | Source: Nohlen & Stöver | ||||
| Choice | Popular vote | Cantons | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | Full | Half | Total | |
| For | 297,938 | 53.7 | 14 | 4 | 16 |
| Against | 256,919 | 46.3 | 5 | 2 | 6 |
| Blank votes | 33,477 | – | – | – | – |
| Invalid votes | 2,108 | – | – | – | – |
| Total | 590,442 | 100 | 19 | 6 | 22 |
| Registered voters/turnout | 1,104,113 | 53.5 | – | – | – |
| align=left colspan=6 | Source: Nohlen & Stöver | ||||
| Choice | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
| For | 338,032 | 39.7 |
| Against | 513,512 | 60.3 |
| Blank votes | 24,846 | – |
| Invalid votes | 2,673 | – |
| Total | 879,063 | 100 |
| Registered voters/turnout | 1,124,881 | 78.1 |
| align=left colspan=3 | Source: Nohlen & Stöver |
| Choice | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
| For | 423,523 | 49.9 |
| Against | 425,449 | 50.1 |
| Blank votes | 27,498 | – |
| Invalid votes | 2,593 | – |
| Total | 879,063 | 100 |
| Registered voters/turnout | 1,124,881 | 78.1 |
| align=left colspan=3 | Source: Nohlen & Stöver |