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Table 3.1 Types of referendum and popular initiative (federal level)

Type Subcategory Numbered of signatures required Description
Constitutional referendum (obligatory) For constitutional amendments/ membership in supranational organisations None Introduced in 1848. In cases of total revision of the constitution, in cases of amendments and, since 1977, in decisions concerning membership to supranational organisations, the change must pass a referendum to take effect. All constitutional referenda must win a double majority -- more than 50 per cent of the vote nationwide and a majority of voters in a majority of cantons.

Legislative referendum (optional) -- 50,000 (or the vote of 8 cantons) Introduced in 1874. Also known as a 'facultative' referendum, Any law or decree of the Federal Assembly can be challenged. If a popular majority votes no, the law is nullified. In cases deemed 'urgent', the law takes effect after passage, but loses force after one year if it is rejected in a subsequent referendum.
Treaty referendum (optional) International treaties 50,000 Introduced in 1921 and revised in 1977. The agreement must face a referendum if a petition with the required number of signatures is submitted. Only a popular majority is required for its passage.
Constitutional Initiative For partial revision (amendment) 100,000 Introduced in 1891. Specifically- worded amendments go to the government and then to the Federal Assembly, which either endorses or rejects the change and is given the opportunity to offer a counterproposal. The initiative (and counterproposal, if there is one) is then presented for popular approval. A double majority is required for its passage.
Constitutional Initiative For total revision 100,000 Introduced in 1848. The proposal is submitted first to the people. If a popular majority agree, parliament is dissolved and an assembly is elected to draft a new constitution. The resulting document is then submitted to a referendum, in which it must gain a double majority. This form of initiative has only been used once, in 1935 by the so-called Frontist Movement.

This table draws from Kris W. Kobach, Direct Democracy in Switzerland, The Impact of the Referendum upon Political Institutions and Behaviour (D. Phil, dissertation, Oxford, 1992).

Type	Subcategory	Numbered of signatures required	Description
Constitutional referendum (obligatory)	For constitutional amendments/ membership in supranational organisations	None	Introduced in 1848. In cases of total revision of the constitution, in cases of amendments and, since 1977, in decisions concerning membership to supranational organisations, the change must pass a referendum to take effect. All constitutional referenda must win a double majority -- more than 50 per cent of the vote nationwide and a majority of voters in a majority of cantons.
Legislative referendum (optional)	--	50,000 (or the vote of 8 cantons)	Introduced in 1874. Also known as a 'facultative' referendum, Any law or decree of the Federal Assembly can be challenged. If a popular majority votes no, the law is nullified. In cases deemed 'urgent', the law takes effect after passage, but loses force after one year if it is rejected in a subsequent referendum.
Treaty referendum (optional)	International treaties	50,000	Introduced in 1921 and revised in 1977. The agreement must face a referendum if a petition with the required number of signatures is submitted. Only a popular majority is required for its passage.
Constitutional Initiative	For partial revision (amendment)	100,000	Introduced in 1891. Specifically- worded amendments go to the government and then to the Federal Assembly, which either endorses or rejects the change and is given the opportunity to offer a counterproposal. The initiative (and counterproposal, if there is one) is then presented for popular approval. A double majority is required for its passage.
Constitutional Initiative	For total revision	100,000	Introduced in 1848. The proposal is submitted first to the people. If a popular majority agree, parliament is dissolved and an assembly is elected to draft a new constitution. The resulting document is then submitted to a referendum, in which it must gain a double majority. This form of initiative has only been used once, in 1935 by the so-called Frontist Movement.