Six referendums were held in Switzerland during 1938.[1] 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.[1] 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.[1] 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.[1] The fifth referendum was held on 3 July on the penal code, and was approved.[1] 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.[1]
The referendums on making Romansch an official language and the federal budget were both "obligatory" referendums,[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 popular initiatives on federal resolutions and the arms industry also required a double majority, as did the counter proposal to the arms industry question.[1] [2] The referendum on the penal code was an "optional referendum",[1] which required only a majority of voters in favour.
| Choice | Popular vote | Cantons | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | Full | Half | Total | |
| For | 574,991 | 91.6 | 19 | 6 | 22 |
| Against | 52,827 | 8.4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Blank votes | 24,692 | – | – | – | – |
| Invalid votes | 8,512 | – | – | – | – |
| Total | 661,022 | 100 | 19 | 6 | 22 |
| Registered voters/turnout | 1,216,756 | 54.3 | – | – | – |
| align=left colspan=6 | Source: Nohlen & Stöver | ||||
| Choice | Popular vote | Cantons | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | Full | Half | Total | |
| For | 87,638 | 15.2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Against | 488,195 | 84.8 | 19 | 6 | 22 |
| Blank votes | 63,433 | – | – | – | – |
| Invalid votes | 21,756 | – | – | – | – |
| Total | 661,022 | 100 | 19 | 6 | 22 |
| Registered voters/turnout | 1,216,756 | 54.3 | – | – | – |
| align=left colspan=6 | Source: Nohlen & Stöver | ||||
| Choice | Popular vote | Cantons | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | Full | Half | Total | |
| For | 65,938 | 11.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Against | 419,013 | 73.2 | 19 | 6 | 22 |
| No answer | 87,630 | 15.3 | – | – | – |
| Blank votes | 52,896 | – | – | – | – |
| Invalid votes | 35,542 | – | – | – | – |
| Total | 661,022 | 100 | 19 | 6 | 22 |
| Registered voters/turnout | 1,216,756 | 54.3 | – | – | – |
| align=left colspan=6 | Source: Direct Democracy | ||||
| Choice | Popular vote | Cantons | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | Full | Half | Total | |
| For | 394,052 | 68.8 | 19 | 6 | 22 |
| Against | 149,025 | 26.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| No answer | 29,504 | 15.3 | – | – | – |
| Blank votes | 52,896 | – | – | – | – |
| Invalid votes | 35,542 | – | – | – | – |
| Total | 661,022 | 100 | 19 | 6 | 22 |
| Registered voters/turnout | 1,216,756 | 54.3 | – | – | – |
| align=left colspan=6 | Source: Direct Democracy | ||||
| Choice | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
| For | 358,438 | 53.5 |
| Against | 312,030 | 46.5 |
| Blank votes | 23,455 | – |
| Invalid votes | 2,016 | – |
| Total | 695,939 | 100 |
| Registered voters/turnout | 1,219,755 | 57.1 |
| align=left colspan=3 | Source: Nohlen & Stöver |
| Choice | Popular vote | Cantons | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | Full | Half | Total | |
| For | 509,387 | 72.3 | 18 | 6 | 21 |
| Against | 195,538 | 27.7 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Blank votes | 30,951 | – | – | – | – |
| Invalid votes | 2,431 | – | – | – | – |
| Total | 738,307 | 100 | 19 | 6 | 22 |
| Registered voters/turnout | 1,223,336 | 60.4 | – | – | – |
| align=left colspan=6 | Source: Nohlen & Stöver | ||||