🗳️ Voting in Switzerland: a right, not an obligation

In Switzerland, voting is not not mandatory, but it is an integral part of the country's political culture.
The Swiss Confederation is based on a direct democracy unique in the world, where citizens are regularly invited to express their views on national, cantonal or municipal issues.

A right guaranteed by the Constitution

According to Article 136 of the Federal Constitution, All Swiss citizens aged 18 and over have the right to vote, to elect and to stand for election.
However, no law mandates the exercise of this right: every citizen is free to vote or not, without penalty. Voting therefore remains a personal and voluntary choice.

Frequent and decisive referendums

The Swiss people are called to the polls approximately four times a year during the federal votes.
Citizens then decide directly on social, economic or political issues, such as taxation, the environment or public health.
They also vote on popular initiatives (citizen proposals with 100,000 signatures) and referendums against certain laws of Parliament.

Three levels of democracy

The votes are being held at three levels :

• Federal : decisions for the whole country.
• Cantonal : regional and fiscal policies.
• Communal urban planning, budgets, naturalizations, etc.

A model based on free participation

Even though average participation hovers around 45 %, The Swiss system relies on the civic responsibility rather than on constraint.
Each citizen receives their voting materials by mail and can vote at home, at the ballot box or, in some cantons, electronically.

👉 In Switzerland, Voting is not a duty, but a freedom — that of actively participating in the collective destiny of the country.

Une peu d’humour sur le sujet – Point de vue de Yann Marguet sur les votations en Suisse

This is a bit old (2016) but it gives an idea of Swiss voting and the Röstis barrier!

Voting in Switzerland

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