1975 Swiss referendums explained
Nine referendums were held in Switzerland in 1975.[1] The first was held on 2 March on an amendment to the Swiss Federal Constitution on the article on the economic cycle. Although it was approved by a majority of voters, it did not receive the support of a majority of cantons (the result was an 11–11 tie),[2] so was rejected.[3] The next five were held on 8 June on protecting currency (approved), financing the national road network (approved),[2] amending the general tariff (rejected), increasing taxes the following year (approved) and restricting federal expenditure (approved).[4] The final three were held on 7 December on a constitutional amendment on the right to residence and welfare benefits (approved), a constitutional amendment on water management (approved) and a federal law on the import and export of agricultural goods (approved).[4]
Results
March: Economic cycle
| Choice | Popular vote | Cantons |
|---|
| Votes | % | Full | Half | Total |
|---|
| For | 542,745 | 52.8 | 10 | 2 | 11 |
| Against | 485,844 | 47.2 | 9 | 4 | 11 |
| Blank votes | 24,892 | – | – | – | – |
| Invalid votes | 1,448 | – | – | – | – |
| Total | 1,054,929 | 100 | 19 | 6 | 22 |
| Registered voters/turnout | 3,712,238 | 28.4 | – | – | – |
| align=left colspan=6 | Source: Nohlen & Stöver | |
June: Currency protection
| Choice | Popular vote | Cantons |
|---|
| Votes | % | Full | Half | Total |
|---|
| For | 1,153,338 | 85.5 | 19 | 6 | 22 |
| Against | 195,219 | 14.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Blank votes | 19,737 | – | – | – | – |
| Invalid votes | 1,525 | – | – | – | – |
| Total | 1,369,819 | 100 | 19 | 6 | 22 |
| Registered voters/turnout | 3,719,992 | 36.8 | – | – | – |
| align=left colspan=11 | Source: Nohlen & Stöver | |
June: National road network
| Choice | Votes | % |
|---|
| For | 721,313 | 53.5 |
| Against | 627,980 | 46.5 |
| Blank votes | 18,518 | – |
| Invalid votes | 1,507 | – |
| Total | 1,369,318 | 100 |
| Registered voters/turnout | 3,719,992 | 36.8 |
| align=left colspan=3 | 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 | 3,719,992 | 36.8 |
| align=left colspan=3 | Source: Nohlen & Stöver | |
June: Increasing taxes
| Choice | Popular vote | Cantons |
|---|
| Votes | % | Full | Half | Total |
|---|
| For | 753,642 | 56.0 | 14 | 6 | 17 |
| Against | 593,041 | 44.0 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| Blank votes | 21,398 | – | – | – | – |
| Invalid votes | 1,618 | – | – | – | – |
| Total | 1,369,699 | 100 | 19 | 6 | 22 |
| Registered voters/turnout | 3,719,992 | 36.8 | – | – | – |
| align=left colspan=11 | Source: Nohlen & Stöver | |
June: Spending restrictions
| Choice | Popular vote | Cantons |
|---|
| Votes | % | Full | Half | Total |
|---|
| For | 1,021,315 | 75.9 | 19 | 6 | 22 |
| Against | 323,511 | 24.1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Blank votes | 22,828 | – | – | – | – |
| Invalid votes | 1,605 | – | – | – | – |
| Total | 1,369,259 | 100 | 19 | 6 | 22 |
| Registered voters/turnout | 3,719,992 | 36.8 | – | – | – |
| align=left colspan=11 | Source: Nohlen & Stöver | |
December: Constitutional amendment on residence and welfare benefits
| Choice | Popular vote | Cantons |
|---|
| Votes | % | Full | Half | Total |
|---|
| For | 842,165 | 75.6 | 19 | 6 | 22 |
| Against | 271,563 | 24.4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Blank votes | 39,934 | – | – | – | – |
| Invalid votes | 1,474 | – | – | – | – |
| Total | 1,155,136 | 100 | 19 | 6 | 22 |
| Registered voters/turnout | 3,737,823 | 30.9 | – | – | – |
| align=left colspan=6 | Source: Nohlen & Stöver | |
December: Constitutional amendment on water management
| Choice | Popular vote | Cantons |
|---|
| Votes | % | Full | Half | Total |
|---|
| For | 858,720 | 77.5 | 18 | 6 | 21 |
| Against | 249,043 | 22.5 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Blank votes | 46,897 | – | – | – | – |
| Invalid votes | 1,559 | – | – | – | – |
| Total | 1,156,219 | 100 | 19 | 6 | 22 |
| Registered voters/turnout | 3,737,823 | 30.9 | – | – | – |
| align=left colspan=6 | Source: Nohlen & Stöver | |
December: Federal law on the import and export of agricultural goods
| Choice | Votes | % |
|---|
| For | 587,148 | 52.0 |
| Against | 541,489 | 48.0 |
| Blank votes | 31,605 | – |
| Invalid votes | 1,575 | – |
| Total | 1,161,817 | 100 |
| Registered voters/turnout | 3,737,823 | 31.1 |
| align=left colspan=3 | Source: Nohlen & Stöver | |
Notes and References
- [Dieter Nohlen]
- Nohlen & Stöver, p1922
- http://www.sudd.ch/event.php?lang=en&id=ch011975 Switzerland, 2 March 1975: Economic article
- Nohlen & Stöver, p1923
