Some updated lists of Swiss referendums may be found on the Wikipedia site at: Swiss referendum 2012

Table 3-1 Swiss referendums, 1848-1992

Types of votes:
A: Amendment of the Constitution (obligatory referendum)
C: Counterproposal of parliament (to proposed initiative)
F: Facultative (optional) referendum on a law
I: Popular initiative
T: Treaty referendum (optional)
U: Urgent decree deviating from the constitution
Dash (__): Data not available.

Yes Votes

Type Date Subject Success
or
Failure Percent
of voters Cantons Percent
Turnout

1A 14 Jan. 1866 Weights and measures F 50.4 9.5 __

2A 14 Jan. 1866 Equality for Jews S 53.2 12.5 __

3A 14 Jan. 1866 Suffrage in communal matters F 43.0 12.5 __

4A 14 Jan. 1866 Taxation of established citizens F 39.9 8 __

5A 14 Jan. 1866 Suffrage in cantonal matters F 48.0 10 __

6A 14 Jan.1866 Religious liberty F 49.1 11 __

7A 14 Jan. 1866 Exdusion of certain punishments F 34.2 6.5 __

8A 14Jan. 1866 Copyright F 43.6 9.5 __

9A 14 Jan. 1866 Prohibition of lotteries F 44.0 9.5 __

10A 12 May 1872 Total revision of the Constitution F 49.5 9 __

11A 19 Apr. 1874 Total revision of the Constitution S 63.2 14.5 __

12F 23 May 1875 Civil status and marriage S 51.0 __ __

13F 23 May 1875 Voting rights act F 49.4 __ __

14F 23 Apr. 1876 Issue of banknotes F 38.3 __ __

15F 9 July 1876 Tax on exemption from military duty F 45.8 __ __

16F 21 Oct. 1877 Labor in factories S 51.5 __ __
17F 21 Oct. 1877 Tax on exemption from military duty F 48.4 __ __

18F 21 Oct. 1877 Voting rights act F 38.1 __ __

19F 19 Jan. 1879 Subsidy to a private alpine railway S 72.9 __ 61.9

20A 18 May 1879 Permit capital punishment S 52.5 14 60.4

21I 31 Oct. 1880 Create monopoly of banknotes F 31.8 4.5 60.3

22A 30 July 1882 Protection of inventions F 47.5 7.5 51.6

23F 30 July 1882 Prevention of epidemics F 21.1 __ 51.6

24F 26 Nov. 1882 Creation of a Federal Secretary of Education F 35.1 __ 76.3

25F 11 May 1884 Organization of the Department of Justice F 41.1 __ 60.1

26F 11 May 1884 Repeal tax on commercial travelers' license F 47.9 __ 60.1

27F 11 May 1884 Criminal code F 44.0 __ 60.1

28F 11 May 1884 Appropriation for Sec. of Legation at Swiss embassy in US F 38.5 __ 60.1

29A 25 Oct. 1885 Inns and alcohol S 59.4 __ 60.4

30F 15 May 1887 Federal monopoly of liquor S 65.8 __ 62.5

31A 10 July 1887 Protection of inventions S 77.9 20.5 42.4

32F 17 Nov. 1889 Bankruptcy act S 52.9 __ 70.9

33A 26 Oct. 1890 Compulsory health and accident insurance for workmen S 75.4 20.5 59.8

34F 15 Mar. 1891 Law on pensions for officials F 20.8 __ 68.7

35A 5 July 1891 Popular initiative S 60.3 18 49.3

36A 18 Oct. 1891 Monopoly of banknotes S 59.3 14 61.9

37F 18 Oct. 1891 Customs tariff S 58.0 __ 61.9

38F 6 Dec. 1891 Nationalization of a railway F 31.1 __ 64.3

39I 20 Aug. 1893 Forbid slaughter of cattle by bleeding S 60.1 11.5 49.1

40A 4 Mar. 1894 Extend power of fed. gov. to allow uniform legislation on professions F 46.1 7.5 46.7

41I 3 June 1894 Impose duty upon the state to provide work for laborers F 19.8 0 57.6

42I 4 Nov. 1894 Sharing of customs revenue among the cantons F 29.3 8.5 72.9

43F 3 Feb. 1895 Diplomatic Service F 41.2 __ 46.3

44A 29 Sept. 1895 Create gov. monopoly of matches F 43.2 7.5 48.6

45A 3 Nov. 1895 Total centralization of the army F 42.0 4.5 66.5

46F 4 Oct. 1896 Warranties in cattle trading F 45.5 __ 57.6

47F 4 Oct. 1896 Regulate accounts of the railways anticipating future purchase by gov. S 55.8 __ 57.6

48F 4 Oct. 18% Disciplinary punishments in the army F 19.9 __ 57.6

49F 28 Feb. 1897 Create federal bank F 43.3 __ 64.7

50A 11 July 1897 Federal supervision of water powers and forests S 63.5 16 38.5

51A 11 July 1897 Federal control of food products S 65.1 18.5 38.5

52F 20 Feb. 1898 Nationalize railways S 67.9 __ 78.0

53A 13 Nov. 1898 Allow fed. gov. to unify civil law S 72.2 16.5 53.5

54A 13 Nov. 1898 Allow fed. gov. to unify criminal law S 72.3 16.5 53.5

55F 20 May 1900 Compulsory health, accident, and military insurance for workers F 30.2 __ 66.7

56I 4 Nov. 1900 Proportional election of the National Council F 40.8 10.5 59.0

57I 4 Nov. 1900 Popular election of the Fed. Council F 35.0 8 59.0

58A 23 Nov. 1902 Subsidies for public primary schools S 76.3 21.5 46.6

59F 15 Mar. 1903 Customs tariff S 59.6 __ 73.2

60F 25 Oct. 1903 Military criminal law to punish instigation of evasion of duty F 30.8 __ 53.2

61I 25 Oct. 1903 Seats on the National Council F 24.4 4 53.3

62A 25 Oct. 1903 Allow fed. regulation of sale of liquor F 40.7 4 53.1

63A 19 Mar. 1905 Protection of inventions S 70.4 21.5 40.0

64F 10 June 1906 Food sales act S 62.6 __ 51.4

65F 3 Nov. 1907 Organization of the army S 55.2 __ 74.6

66A 5 July 1908 Extend power of fed. gov. to allow uniform legislation on professions S 71.5 21.5 48.7

67I 5 July 1908 Ban on absinthe S 63.5 20 49.3

68C 25 Oct. 1908 Extend federal authority over water powers S 84.4 21.5 48.2

69I 23 Oct. 1910 Proportional election of the National Council F 47.5 12 62.3

70F 4 Feb. 1912 Compulsory health and accident insurance for workers. S 54.4 __ 64.3

71A 4 May 1913 Human and animal diseases S 60.3 16.5 36.0

72A 25 Oct. 1914 Administrative court S 62.3 18 44.0

73A 6 June 1915 War tax S 94.3 22 56.0

74A 13 May 1917 Stamp tax S 53.2 14.5 42.1

75I 2June 1918 Federal income tax F 45.9 7.5 65.4

76I 13 Oct. 1918 Proportional election of the National Council S 68.8 19.5 49.6

77A 4 May 1919 Navigation S 83.6 22 53.9

78A 4 May 1919 New war tax S 65.1 20 53.7

79A 10 Aug. 1919 Dissolution of the National Council S 71.6 21.5 32.8

80F 21 Mar. 1920 Labor conditions F 49.8 __- 60.3

81I 21 Mar. 1920 Gambling Houses S 51.0 14 60.5

82C 21 Mar. 1920 Gambling Houses F 20.3 0.5 60.5

83A 16 May 1920 Entry into the League of Nations S 56.3 11.5 77.5

84F 31 Oct. 1920 Working time in public transports S 57.1 __ 68.1

85I 30 Jan. 1921 Referendum on treaties S 71.4 20 63.1

86I 30 Jan. 1921 Abolition of military justice F 33.6 3 63.1

87A 22 May 1921 Legislation on cars and cycles S 59.8 15.5 38.5

88A 22 May 1921 Aviation S 62.2 20.5 38.4

89I 11 June 1922 Naturalization F 15.9 0 45.6

90I 11 June 1922 Expulsion of foreigners F 38.1 0 45.6

91I 11 June 1922 Civil servants in the National Council F 38.4 5 45.6

92F 24 Sept. 1922 Federal criminal law F 44.6 __ 70.3

93I 3 Dec. 1922 Capital tax F 13.0 0 86.3

94I 18 Feb. 1923 Internal security act F 11.0 0 53.2

95T 18 Feb. 1923 Free trade convention F 18.5 __ 53.4

96I 15 Apr. 1923 Customs system F 26.8 .5 65.8

97 A 3 June 1923 Legislation on liquor F 42.2 10 64.6

98F 17 Feb. 1924 Labor legislation (amendment) F 42.4 __ 77.0

99I 24 May 1925 Old-age and sickness insurance F 42.0 6 68.3

100A 25 Oct. 1925 Status of foreigners S 62.2 18.5 68.0

101A 6 Dec. 1925 Old-age and sickness insurance S 65.4 16.5 63.1

102A 5 Dec. 1926 Supply of cereals F 49.6 8 72.7

103 A 15 May 1927 Subventions for alpine roads S 62.6 21 55.3

104F 15 May 1927 Traffic law F 40.1 __ 57.8

105A 20 May 1928 Naturalization S 70.6 19.5 45.2

106I 2 Dec. 1928 Gambling houses S 51.9 14.5 55.5

107I 3 Mar. 1929 Supply of cereals F 2.7 0 67.3

108C 3 Mar. 1929 Supply of cereals S 66.3 21 67.3

109F 3 Mar. 1929 Customs tariff S 66.4 __ 67.3

110I 12 May 1929 Federal traffic law F 37.2 3 65.0

111I 12 May 1929 Prohibition (liquor) F 32.7 .5 66.4

112A 6 Apr. 1930 Legislation on liquor S 60.6 17 75.7

113C 8 Feb. 1931 Prohibition of decorations S 70.2 17 41.8

114A 15 Mar. 1931 Seats on the National Council S 53.9 13.5 53.4
115A 15 Mar. 1931 Term of federal mandates S 53.7 16 53.4

116F 6 Dec. 1931 Old-age pensions act F 39.7 __ 78.1

117F 6 Dec. 1931 Taxation of tobacco F 49.9 __ 78.1

118F 28 May 1933 Reduce salary of federal employees F 44.9 __ 80.5

119F 11 Mar. 1934 Protection of law and order F 46.2 __ 78.9

120D 24 Feb. 1935 Military instruction S 54.2 __ 79.9

121D 5 May 1935 Diversion of traffic F 32.3 __ 63.2

122I 2 June 1935 Measures against economic crisis F 42.8 4 84.4

123I 8 Sept. 1935 Total revision of the constitution F 27.7 __ 60.9

124I 28 Nov. 1937 Prohibition of Freemasonry F 31.1 1 64.6

125A 20 Feb. 1938 Romansh as fourth national language S 91.6 22 54.3

126I 20 Feb. 1938 Modification of the optional referendum F 15.2 0 54.3

127I 20 Feb. 1938 Private armaments industry F 11.5 0 54.3

128C 20 Feb. 1938 Private armaments industry S 68.8 22 54.3

129F 3 July 1938 Swiss criminal code S 53.5 __ 57.0

130A 27 Nov. 1938 Federal finances S 72.3 21 60.3

131I 22 Jan.1939 Extension of constitutional jurisdiction F 28.9 0 46.6

132C 22 Jan. 1939 Abuse of the emergency clause S 69.1 21 46.6

133A 4 June 1939 National defense and prevention of unemployment S 69.1 19 54.7

134F 3 Dec. 1939 Status of civil servants F 37.6 __ 63.4

135F 1 Dec. 1940 Pre-military instruction F 44.3 __ 62.2

136I 9 Mar. 1941 Legislation on liquor F 40.2 __ 60.1

137I 25 Jan. 1942 Election of the Federal Council F 32.4 0 61.9

138I 3 May 1942 Reorganization of the National Council F 34.9 .5 51.4

139F 29 Oct. 1944 Unfair competition S 52.9 __ 50.9

140F 21 Jan. 1945 National railways act S 56.7 __ 52.8

141C 25 Nov. 1945 Protection of the family S 76.3 21.5 55.5

142C 10 Feb. 1946 Coordination of public transport F 33.6 1 65.2

143I 8 Dec. 1946 Right to work F 19.2 0 51.3

144I 18 May 1947 Economic reforms/labor legislation F 31.2 0 59.4

145A 6 July 1947 Economic articles S 53.0 13 79.7

146F 6 July 1947 Old-age pension act S 80.0 __ 79.7

147F 14 Mar. 1948 Monopoly of sugar F 36.2 __ 56.5

148A 22 May 1949 Emission of banknotes F 38.5 1.5 61.0

149F 22 May 1949 Prevention of tuberculosis F 24.8 __ 61.0

1501 11 Sept. 1949 Direct democracy (emergency clause) S 50.7 12.5 42.5

151F 11 Dec. 1949 Status of federal officials S 55.3 __ 72.0

152F 29 Jan. 1950 State aid for housing construction F 46.3 __ 52.8

153A 4 June 1950 Federal finances F 35.5 6 55.3

154I 1 Oct. 1950 Speculation on real estate and labor F 27.0 0 43.7

155A 3 Dec. 1950 Seats on the National Council S 67.3 20 55.7

156A 3 Dec. 1950 Federal taxes from 1951 to 1954 S 69.5 20 55.7

157F 25 Feb. 1951 Transport by automobile F 44.3 __ 52.4

158I 15 Apr. 1951 Emission of banknotes F 12.3 0 53.1

159C 15 Apr. 1951 Emission of banknotes S 68.1 22 53.1

160I 8 July 1951 Taxation of public enterprises F 32.6 __ 37.6

161F 2 Mar. 1952 Construction of new hotels F 46.1 __ 40.1

162F 30 Mar. 1952 Agriculture act S 54.0 __ 64.1

163I 20 Apr. 1952 Federal sales tax F 19.0 0 49.1

164I 18 May 1952 Financing of armaments F 43.7 4 53.9

165A 6 July 1952 Financing of armaments F 42.0 3 44.2

166F 5 Oct. 1952 Tax on tobacco products S 68.0 __ 52.6

167F 5 Oct. 1952 Antiaircraft shelters F 15.5 __ 52.6

168A 23 Nov. 1952 Control of prices S 62.8 16 56.4

169A 23 Nov. 1952 Supply of cereals S 75.6 21.5 56.4

170F 19 Apr. 1953 Postal tariff F 36.5 __ 52.7

171A 6 Dec. 1953 Federal finances F 42.0 3 60.3

172 A 6 Dec. 1953 Prevention of water pollution S 81.3 22 59.1

173F 20 June 1954 Federal certificates of professional capacity F 33.0 __ 40.9

174F 20June 1954 Aid for Swiss war victims F 44.0 __ 40.7

175A 24 Oct. 1954 Federal taxes from 1955 to 1958 S 70.0 21 46.8

176I 5 Dec. 1954 Protection of sites F 31.2 1 51.9

177I 13 Mar. 1955 Consumers' and lessees' protection F 50.2 7 55.5

178C 13 Mar. 1955 Consumers' and lessees' protection F 40.6 8.5 55.5

179A 4 Mar. 1956 Control of prices S 77.5 22 48.7

180I 13 May 1956 Utilization of hydraulic forces F 36.9 2.5 52.1

181F 13 May 1956 State aid for a private timber transformation enterprise in Grau. F 42.5 __ 52.6

182A 30 Sept. 1956 Supply of cereals (amendment) F 38.7 5.5 44.0

183C 30 Sept. 1956 Referendum on expenses F 45.5 9 43.8

184 A 3 Mar. 1957 Civil defense F 48.1 14 53.1

185A 3 Mar. 1957 Radio/TV legislation F 42.8 10.5 53.0

186A 24 Nov. 1957 Nuclear energy S 77.3 22 45.5

187A 24 Nov. 1957 Supply of cereals S 66.7 21.5 45.5

188 I 26 Jan. 1958 Misuse of economic power F 25.9 0 51.8

189A 11 May 1958 Federal finances S 54.6 17.5 53.2

190A 6 July 1958 Cinema S 61.3 20.5 42.3

191C 6 July 1958 Highway system S 85.0 21 42.4

192 I 26 Oct. 1958 Forty-four-hour workweek F 35.0 .5 61.4

193A 7 Dec. 1958 Gambling in kursaals S 59.9 20.5 46.2

194T 7 Dec. 1958 Utilization of the Spol River S 75.2 __ 46.4

195A 1 Feb. 1959 Women's suffrage F 33.1 3 66.7

196A 24 May 1959 Civil defense S 66.3 22 42.9

197A 29 May 1960 Control of prices S 77.5 22 39.0

198F 4 Dec. 1960 Legislation on milk production S 56.3 __ 49.8

199A 5 Mar. 1961 Legislation on pipelines S 71.4 22 62.8

200F 5 Mar. 1961 Taxes on motor fuel F 46.5 __ 63.3

201I 22 Oct. 1961 Legislative initiative F 29.4 0 40.1

202F 3 Dec. 1961 Watch-making industry S 66.7 __ 45.8

2031 1 April 1962 Nuclear arms prohibition F 34.8 4 55.6

204A 27 May 1962 Nature and landscape protection S 79.1 22 38.7

205F 27 May 1962 Salary of parliament members F 31.7 __ 38.7

206A 4 Nov. 1962 Seats on the National Council S 63.7 16 36.3

207 1 26 May 1963 Nuclear arms F 37.8 4.5 48.8

208A 8 Dec. 1963 Federal finances S 77.6 22 41.8

209A 8 Dec. 1963 Scholarships S 78.5 22 41.7

210A 2 Feb. 1964 Fiscal amnesty F 42.0 3.5 44.3

211F 24 May 1964 Professional education S 68.6 __ 37.0

212A 6 Dec. 1964 Control of prices S 79.5 22 39.2

213U 28 Feb. 1965 Limitation of credits S 57.7 18.5 59.7

214U 28 Feb. 1965 Limitation of construction S 55.5 17 59.7

215F 16 May 1965 Milk and milk products S 62.0 __ 37.4

216 A 16 Oct. 1966 Swiss abroad S 68.1 22 47.9

217I 16 Oct. 1966 Fight against alcoholism F 23.4 __ 48.0

218I 2 July 1967 Speculation on real estate F 32.7 1 37.9

219A 18 Feb. 1968 Fiscal amnesty S 61.9 22 41.8

220F 19 May 1968 Fixed prices on tobacco products F 48.2 __ 36.9

221F 1 June 1969 Federal technical high school F 34.5 __ 33.9

222A 14 Sept. 1969 Town and country planning S 55.9 19.5 32.9

223F 1 Feb. 1970 Control of sugar S 54.2 __ 43.8

224 I 7 June 1970 Foreigners, reduction of number F 46.0 7 74.1

225A 27 Sept. 1970 Sports education S 74.5 22 43.8

226 I 27 Sept. 1970 Housing and family F 48.9 8 43.8

227A 15 Nov. 1970 Federal finances F 55.4 9 40.9

228A 7 Feb. 1971 Women's suffrage S 65.7 15.5 57.7

229A 6 June 1971 Protection of the environment S 92.7 22 37.9

230A 6 June 1971 Federal finances S 72.7 22 37.8

231I 5 Mar. 1972 Construction of lodgings F 28.9 0 35.7

232C 5 Mar. 1972 Construction of lodgings S 58.5 21 35.7

233A 5 Mar. 1972 Protection of lessees S 85.4 22 35.7

234U 4 June 1972 Control of the construction market S 83.3 22 26.7

235U 4 June 1972 Defense of the Swiss money S 87.7 22 26.7

236 1 24 Sept. 1972 Exportation of arms F 49.6 7 33.1

237I 3 Dec. 1972 Old-age and sickness pension (amendment) F 15.6 0 52.9

238C 3 Dec. 1972 Old-age and sickness pension (amendment) S 74.0 22 52.9

239A 3 Dec. 1972 Free trade agreement with the EC S 72.5 22 52.9

240A 4 Mar. 1973 Education F 52.8 10.5 27.5

241A 4 Mar. 1973 Scientific research S 64.5 19 27.5

242A 20 May 1973 Repeal of the confessional articles S 54.9 16.5 40.3

243U 2 Dec. 1973 Prices and salary control S 59.8 20 35.0

244U 2 Dec. 1973 Credits control S 65.1 18.5 35.0

245U 2 Dec. 1973 Control of the construction market S 70.4 20 35.0

246U 2 Dec. 1973 Limitation to amortization allowance S 68.0 19.5 35.0

247A 2 Dec. 1973 Protection of animals S 84.0 22 35.0

248I 20 Oct. 1974 Foreigners, reduction of number F 34.2 0 70.3

249A 8 Dec. 1974 Federal finances F 44.4 4 39.6

250A 8 Dec. 1974 Brake to federal expenses S* 67.0 22 39.5

251I 8 Dec. 1974 Health insurance F 26.7 0 39.7

252C 8 Dec. 1974 Health insurance F 32.1 0 39.7

253A 2 Mar. 1975 Economic policy F 52.7 11 28.4

254A 8 June 1975 Federal finances S 56.0 17 36.8

255U 8 June 1975 Defense of the Swiss money S 85.5 22 36.8

256A 8 June 1975 Brake to federal expenses S 75.9 22 36.8

257F 8 June 1975 Customs tariff, fuel F 48.2 __ 36.8

258F 8 June 1975 Financing of the highway system S 53.5 __ 36.8

259A 7 Dec. 1975 Freedom of domicile/social assistance S 75.6 22 30.9

260A 7 Dec. 1975 Legislation on water resources S 77.5 21 30.9

261F 7 Dec. 1975 Import and export of agricultural products S 52.0 __ 31.1

262I 21 Mar. 1976 Workers' participation F 32.4 0 39.4

263C 21 Mar. 1976 Workers' participation F 29.6 0 39.4

264I 21 Mar. 1976 More equal taxes F 42.2 __ 39.3

265A 13 June 1976 Compulsory unemployment insurance S 68.3 21 34.5

266F 13 June 1976 Town and country planning F 48.9 __ 34.6

267T 13 June 1976 Loan to International Development Association F 43.6 __ 34.5

268A 26 Sept. 1976 Radio/TV legislation F 43.3 3.5 33.5

269 1 26 Sept. 1976 Federal liability insurance for cars F 24.3 0 33.5

270U 5 Dec. 1976 Money and credit policy S 70.3 22 44.8

271U 5 Dec. 1976 Control of prices S 82.0 22 45.1

272I 5 Dec. 1976 Forty-hour workweek F 22.0 0 45.2

273I 13 Mar. 1977 Foreigners, reduction of number F 29.5 0 45.2

274I 13 Mar. 1977 Naturalization of foreigners F 33.8 0 45.2

275I 13 Mar. 1977 Referendum on international treaties F 21.9 0 45.0

276C 13 Mar. 1977 Referendum on international treaties S 61.0 20.5 45.0

277A 12 June 1977 Introduction of value-added tax F 40.5 1 50.0

278A 12June 1977 Harmonization of cantonal taxes S 61.3 17.5 49.9

279 I 25 Sept. 1977 Protection of lessees F 42.2 3.5 51.6

280C 25 Sept. 1977 Protection of lessees F 41.2 1.5 51.6

281I 25 Sept. 1977 Air pollution from cars F 39.0 1.5 51.7

282A 25 Sept. 1977 Number of signatures for a referendum S 57.8 18 51.6

283A 25 Sept. 1977 Number of signatures for an initiative S 56.7 19 51.6

284 I 25 Sept. 1977 Free abortion during the first 12 weeks F 48.3 7 51.9

285 I 4 Dec. 1977 Higher taxes on big incomes F 44.4 2.5 38.3

286A 4 Dec. 1977 Civil service F 37.6 0 38.1

287F 4 Dec. 1977 Exercise of political rights S 93.7 __ 38.1

288F 4 Dec. 1977 Balanced federal finances S 62.4 __ 38.2

289 I 26 Feb. 1978 Democracy in highway construction F 38.7 0 48.2

290 I 26 Feb. 1978 Age of retirement F 20.6 0 48.3

291A 26 Feb. 1978 Economic policy S 68.4 22 48.0

292F 26 Feb. 1978 Old-age pension act (ninth revision) S 65.6 __ 48.3

293F 28 May 1978 Summer time F 47.9 __ 48.8

294F 28 May 1978 Customs tariff S 54.8 __ 48.8

295F 28 May 1978 Abortion act F 31.2 __ 48.8

296F 28 May 1978 University and research act F 43.4 __ 48.8

297 I 28 May 1978 Twelve Sundays a year without motor traffic F 36.3 0 48.8

298A 24 Sept. 1978 Creation of Canton of Jura S 82.3 22 42.0

299F 3 Dec. 1978 Milk supplies S 68.5 22 43.2

300F 3 Dec. 1978 Protection of animals S 81.7 22 43.3

301F 3 Dec. 1978 Federal security police F 44.0 6 43.3

302F 3 Dec. 1978 Professional education S 56.0 17 43.3

303A 18 Feb. 1979 Vote at 18 F 49.2 9 49.6

304C 18 Feb. 1979 Pedestrian trails S 77.6 22 49.6

305I 18 Feb. 1979 Ban liquor and tobacco advertising F 41.0 .5 49.6

306I 18 Feb. 1979 Nuclear plants F 48.8 9 49.6

307A 20 May 1979 Introduction of value added tax F 34.6 0 37.7

308F 20 May 1979 Revision of atomic energy S 68.9 22 37.6

3091 2 Mar. 1980 Separation of church and state F 21.1 0 34.7

310A 2 Mar. 1980 Supply of commodities S 86.1 23 34.5

311F 30 Nov. 1980 Safety belts and crash helmets S 51.6 13 42.1

312A 30 Nov. 1980 Suspend cantonal share of revenues from banking 'stamp' tax S 67.3 20 41.9

313A 30 Nov. 1980 Redistribution of alcohol tax receipts S 71.0 21 41.9

314A 30 Nov. 1980 Price of cereals S 63.5 20 41.9

315 I 5 Apr. 1981 Policy toward foreign residents F 16.2 0 39.9

316C 14 June 1981 Equal rights for men and women S 60.3 15.5 33.9

317C 14 June 1981 Protection of consumer rights S 65.5 20 33.9

318A 29 Nov. 1981 Federal taxation S 69.0 23 30.4

319F 6 June 1982 Penal code on violent crimes S 63.7 22 35.2

320F 6 June 1982 Law about foreigners F 49.6 9 35.2

321I 28 Nov. 1982 Control of prices S 56.1 17 32.9

322C 28 Nov. 1982 Control of prices F 21.6 0 32.9

323A 27 Feb. 1983 Petrol tax S 52.7 15.5 32.4

324A 27 Feb. 1983 Establish basis for fed. energy policy F 50.9 11 32.4

325A 4 Dec. 1983 Revise nationality law S 60.8 20.5 35.8

326A 4 Dec. 1983 Ease naturalization policy F 44.8 5 35.9

327A 26 Feb. 1984 Tax on trucks S 58.7 15.5 52.8

328A 26 Feb. 1984 Highway tax S 53.0 16 52.8

329 1 26 Feb. 1984 Civilian service F 36.2 1.5 52.8

330 I 20 May 1984 Banking F 27.0 0 42.5

331I 20 May 1984 No selling of land to foreigners F 48.9 8.5 42.5

332 I 23 Sept. 1984 End atomic development F 45.0 6 41.7

3331 23 Sept. 1984 A safe energy policy F 45.8 6 41.6

334A 2 Dec. 1984 Legislation on broadcasting S 68.7 23 37.5

335C 2 Dec. 1984 Help for victims of violence S 82.1 23 37.6

336C 2 Dec. 1984 Protection of motherhood F 15.8 0 37.6

337A 10 Mar. 1985 End federal primary school subsidies S 58.5 18 34.4

338A 10 Mar. 1985 End federal public health subsidies S 53.0 13 34.4

339A 10 Mar. 1985 End federal education subsidies F 47.6 8.5 34.4

3401 10 Mar. 1985 Length of paid vacation F 34.8 2 34.6

341I 9 June 1985 'Right to life' F 31.0 5.5 35.7

342A 9 June 1985 Suspend cantonal share of revenues from banking 'stamp' tax S 66.5 22 35.2

343A 9June 1985 Reduce cantonal share of liquor tax revenues S 72.3 22 35.2

344A 9 June 1985 Legislation on cereals S 57.0 18.5 35.3

345C 22 Sept. 1985 Standardized school terms S 58.8 16 41.0

346F 22 Sept. 1985 Insurance against innovation-related risk F 43.1 0 40.9

347F 22 Sept. 1985 New law on husband and wife S 54.7 14 41.1

3481 1 Dec. 1985 Prohibition of vivisection F 29.5 0 38.0

349A 16 Mar. 1986 UN membership F 24.3 0 50.7

350F 28 Sept. 1986 Subsidized sugar production F 38.4 5 34.0

3511 28 Sept. 1986 Subsidy for arts F 17.1 0 34.0

352C 28 Sept. 1986 Subsidy for arts F 45.0 0 34.0

353 I 28 Sept. 1986 Guaranteed vocational training F 18.4 0 34.0

354C 7 Dec. 1986 Tenants' protection S 64.4 18.5 34.0

3551 7 Dec. 1986 Taxation of heavy trucks F 33.9 0 34.0

356F 5 April 1987 Revision of political asylum laws S 67.3 23 42.4

357F 5 April 1987 Revision of law regarding foreigners S 65.7 23 42.2

358A 5 April 1987 ■Double yes' on initiatives with a government counterproposal S 63.3 21 42.3

359 1 5 April 1987 Right to referendum on all military expenditures F 40.6 2.5 42.4

360F 6 Dec. 1987 'Rail 2000' project S 56.7 18.5 47.7

361I 6 Dec. 1987 Stop Rothenturm military base (to protect the moors) S 57.8 20 47.7

362F 6 Dec. 1987 Sickness and motherhood insurance F 28.7 1 47.7

363A 12June 1988 Co-ordination of transportation policy F 45.5 3.5 41.9

364I 12 June 1988 Reduction of the age for receiving OAP benefits F 35.1 2 42.0

365 I 4 Dec. 1988 City/countiy prohibition of real estate speculation F 30.8 0 52.8

366I 4 Dec. 1988 Forty-hour work week F 34.3 2 52.9

3671 4 Dec. 1988 Restriction of immigration F 32.7 0 52.8

368 I 4 June 1989 Protection of small farms F 48.9 8 36.0

369 I 26 Nov. 1989 Abolition of the army F 35.6 2 68.6

370 I 26 Nov. 1989 Raise highway speed limit to 130 kph F 38.0 5 68.6

3711 1 April 1990 Stop all new road construction F 28.5 0 40.5

3721 1 April 1990 Prevent highway between Murten and Yverdon (Nl) F 32.7 0 40.5

3731 1 April 1990 Prevent highway between Wettswil and Kronau (N4) F 31.4 0 40.5

3741 1 April 1990 Prevent highway between Biel and Solothurn (N5) F 34.0 0 40.5

375F 1 April 1990 Wine import standards F 46.7 11 40.5

376F 1 April 1990 Revision of the federal judiciary law F 47.4 7 40.5

377A 23 Sept. 1990 Establish basis for fed. energy policy S 71.0 23 39.6

378 I 23 Sept. 1990 10-year moratorium on nuclear plant construction S 54.6 19.5 39.6

3791 23 Sept. 1990 End use of nuclear energy F 47.1 7 39.6

380F 23 Sept. 1990 Increase allowed width of trucks 20 cm S 52.8 15 39.6

381A 3 Mar. 1991 Reduce voting age to 18 S 72.8 23 31.1

382 1 3 Mar. 1991 Transfer funds from road construction to public transportation, esp. railways F 37.1 1.5 31.1

383F 2 June 1991 Introduce federal VAT to replace corporate tax and integrate with EC F 45.7 2.5 32.6

384F 2 June 1991 Decriminalize conscientious objection to military service S 55.7 19 32.6

385T 17 May 1992 IMF and World Bank membership S 55.8 18.5 36.6

386F 17 May 1992 Regulations governing involvement in the IMF and World Bank S 56.4 18.5 36.4

387I 17 May 1992 Reduce amount of water in reservoirs to protect the environment F 37.1 0 38.4

388F 17 May 1992 Less drastic reduction of water in reservoirs than in issue 387 S 66.1 18.5 38.5

389F 17 May 1992 Regulation of genetic technology S 73.8 22 38.0

390A 17 May 1992 Civilian service option for conscientious objectors S 82.5 23 38.6

391F 17 May 1992 Decriminalize sex betw. minors, homo sexuality; define rape in marriage S 73.1 22 37.9

392F 27 Sept. 1992 Construction of cross-Alpine railway for automobiles. S 63.6 21 45.9

393F 27 Sept. 1992 Revised procedures for consideration, publication, and intro. of laws S 58.0 17 45.4

394F 27 Sept. 1992 Change of banking 'stamp' tax S 61.5 23 45.7

395F 27 Sept. 1992 Farmers' inheritance regulations S 53.6 15 45.7

396F 27 Sept. 1992 Increase salaries of MPs and funding for political parties F 27.6 0 45.6

397F 27 Sept. 1992 Improved facilities and admin. services for MPs F 30.6 1 45.5

398A 6 Dec. 1992 European Economic Area membership F 49.7 7 78.3

Types of votes:
A: Amendment of the Constitution (obligatory referendum)
C: Counterproposal of parliament (to proposed initiative)
F: Facultative (optional) referendum on a law
I: Popular initiative
T: Treaty referendum (optional)
U: Urgent decree deviating from the constitution
Dash (__): Data not available.
*Although it succeeded in winning a double majority, it had no effect because it was linked to 249.
Sources: In a 1978 writing, Jean-Francois Aubert listed all federal referendums that had taken place in Switzerland through May 1978, using data compiled by Mathias Adank, Univ. of Neuchatel. In this table I combine his list with one compiled by A. Lawrence Lowell in 1914 , add numerous corrections, and update it through 1992. The format is similar to the Aubert table. However, I use a slightly different classification scheme for the various types of referendum. Post-1978 data was obtained from the Swiss Chancellory; the VOX analyses of the Forschungszentrum für Schweizerische Politik at the University of Bern; John Austen, David Butler and Austin Ranney, 'Referendums, 1978-1986', Electoral Studies, 6, 2 (Aug. 1987), 143-45; and numerous Swiss newspaper articles. The Aubert table appears in Jean-Francois Aubert, 'Switzerland', in David Butler and Austin Ranney, eds., Referendums: A Comparative Study of Practice and Theory (Washington, D.C.: American Enterprise Institute, 1978), pp. 50-64. The Lowell table is in A. Lawrence Lowell, Public Opinion and Popular Government, 2nd ed. (New York: Longmans, Green and Co., 1914), pp. 306-11.