IFES
 

March 4, 2018 Held

Switzerland

Swiss Confederation

Referendum

Results

Voter Participation

Voter
Turnout*
Cast Votes:2,904,047
Valid Votes:2,803,550
Invalid Votes:100,497

Referendum Vote Share

Federal Decree of 6 June 2017 on the new Financial Regulation 2021

Yes2,358,086

84.10

No445,464

15.09
"Yes to the abolition of radio and television fees"

Yes833,837

28.04

No2,098,302

71.60
Election Results Modified: Aug 17, 2023

General Information

Switzerland: Referendum, 4 March 2018  

At stake in this referendum:  

  • There are two provisions to be voted on: Federal Decree of 6 June 2017 on the new Financial Regulation 2021 and "Yes to the abolition of radio and television fees." 

Description of government structure:  

  • Chief of State: President Alain Berset* (since 1 January 2018) 

  • Head of Government: President Alain Berset 

  • Assembly: Switzerland has a bicameral Federal Assembly  (BBundesversammlung/Assemblée Fédérale/Assemblea Federale) consisting of the Council of States (Ständerat/Conseil des Etats/ Consiglio degli Stati) with 46 seats and the National Council (Nationalrat/Conseil National/Consiglio Nazionale) with 200 seats. 

*The Federal Presidency rotates among the 7 members of the Federal Council, which is the formal chief of state.  

Electoral requirements:  

  • A majority of the popular vote and the cantons is required for "Yes to the abolition of radio and television fees" (a popular initiative) to pass. A majority of the popular vote is required for the Federal Decree of 6 June 2017 on the new Financial Regulation 2021. 

About the referendum:  

  • Federal Decree of 6 June 2017 on the new Financial Regulation 2021 would extend the right of the Swiss federal government to levy direct federal and VAT taxes through 2035.

  •  "Yes to the abolition of radio and television fees" would abolish the reception fees charged to radio and television consumers. These fees help pay for state-run regional television and local radio stations and other state-run media. 

Population and number of registered voters:  

  • Population: 8,179,294 (July 2016 est.) 

  • Registered Voters: 5,391,090 (March 2018 est.) 

Gender Data:  

  • Female Population: 4,145,195 (July 2016 est.) 

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

  • Has Switzerland ratified CEDAW: Yes (since 27 March 1997) 

  • Gender Quota: No 

  • Female candidates in this election: N/A 

  • Number of Female Parliamentarians: 74 (29%) 

  • Human Development Index Position: 3 

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

Disability Data:  

  • Is Switzerland a signatory to CRPD: Yes 

  • Has Switzerland ratified CRPD: Yes 

  • Population with a disability: 1,792,000 

Election Modified: Aug 17, 2023

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