Four referendums were held in Switzerland during 1949.[1] The first two were held on 22 May on revising article 39 of the federal constitution concerning the Swiss National Bank and a federal law amending a 1928 law on measures against tuberculosis, with both rejected by voters.[1] The third was held on 11 September on a popular initiative "for the recurrence to direct democracy" and was narrowly approved.[1] The final one was held on 11 December on a federal law to amend the employment status of federal civil servants, and was also approved.[1]
Background
The referendum on revising the constitution was a mandatory referendum.[1] Together with the popular initiative, both required 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 referendums on federal laws on tuberculosis and civil servants were both optional referendums,[1] which required only a simple majority of votes in favour.[1]
Results
May: Constitutional amendment on the Swiss National Bank
| Choice | Popular vote | Cantons |
| Votes | % | Full | Half | Total |
| For | 293,650 | 38.5 | 1 | 1 | 1.5 |
| Against | 468,823 | 61.5 | 18 | 5 | 20.5 |
| Blank votes | 81,909 | – | – | – | – |
| Invalid votes | 1,485 | – | – | – | – |
| Total | 845,867 | 100 | 19 | 6 | 22 |
| Registered voters/turnout | 1,385,582 | 61.0 | – | – | – |
| Source: Nohlen & Stöver |
May: Federal law on tuberculosis
| Choice | Votes | % |
| For | 202,863 | 24.8 |
| Against | 613,552 | 75.2 |
| Blank votes | 28,241 | – |
| Invalid votes | 1,211 | – |
| Total | 845,867 | 100 |
| Registered voters/turnout | 1,385,582 | 61.0 |
| Source: Nohlen & Stöver |
| Choice | Popular vote | Cantons |
| Votes | % | Full | Half | Total |
| For | 280,755 | 50.7 | 11 | 3 | 12.5 |
| Against | 272,599 | 49.3 | 8 | 3 | 9.5 |
| Blank votes | 35,655 | – | – | – | – |
| Invalid votes | 1,941 | – | – | – | – |
| Total | 590,950 | 100 | 19 | 6 | 22 |
| Registered voters/turnout | 1,389,856 | 42.5 | – | – | – |
| Source: Nohlen & Stöver |
December: Federal law on civil servants
| Choice | Votes | % |
| For | 546,160 | 55.3 |
| Against | 441,785 | 44.7 |
| Blank votes | 14,552 | – |
| Invalid votes | 1,865 | – |
| Total | 1,004,362 | 100 |
| Registered voters/turnout | 1,394,818 | 72.0 |
| Source: Nohlen & Stöver |
References
- ^ a b c d e f g Nohlen, D & Stöver, P (2010) Elections in Europe: A data handbook, p1913 ISBN 9783832956097
- ^ a b c Nohlen & Stöver, p1891
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