At stake in this Referendum:

• Popular vote (Federal level) on Right to Citizenship, Postal Service and Maternity Insurance

Description of government structure:

• Chief of State: Federal Councillor Joseph DEISS *
• Head of Government: Federal Councillor Joseph DEISS
• Assembly: Switzerland has a bicameral Federal Assembly (Bundesversammlung, Assemblée Féderale) consisting of the Council of States (Standerat, Conseil des Etats, or Consiglio degli Stati) with 46 seats* and the National Council (Nationalrat, Conseil National, or Consiglio Nazionale) with 200 seats.

* President of the Confederation and Head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs

* The Council of States, consists of 46 members, two elected from each of 20 cantons and one from each of the six half-cantons, according to cantonal procedure.

Main provisions in the Referendum:

• Voters will be asked to voice their opinion on: procedures regarding the naturalization of immigrants. 1st provision: Easing procedures for citizenship for second-generation immigrants aged 14-24.
• Status of third-generation immigrants 2nd provision: Guarantee that third-generation immigrants are Swiss citizens at birth.
• Postal System 3rd provision: Enhancement of the current universal postal system in Switzerland, and to include the communes in decisions affecting the network of post offices.
• Benefits available to women on maternity leave

Population and Registered Voters:

• Population: 7,389,625 (2004)
• Registered Voters: 4,708,440 (2003)

Gender Data:

·         Female Population: 3,775,180 (2004)

·         Is Switzerland a signatory to CEDAW: Yes (23 January 1987)

·         Has Switzerland ratified CEDAW: Yes (27 March 1997)

·         Gender Quota: No

·         Female candidates in this election: N/A

·         Number of Female Parliamentarians: 50 (National Council); 11 (Council of States) following the 2003 elections

·         Human Development Index Position: 3 (2014)

·         Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) Categorization: N/A

Disability Data:

·         Is Switzerland a signatory to CRPD: No

·         Has Switzerland ratified CRPD: Yes, accession (15 April 2014)

·         Population with a disability: 1,108,443 (est.)