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ELECTORAL FRAMEWORK

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Legislative Framework

Switzerland Switzerland

LF001

Status of Electoral Law
Question:What is the status of the electoral law governing national elections?
Answer(s): a. Part of Constitution
b. Separate legislation
Comments: The representatives are elected directly by the People according to a system of proportional representation. A general election is held every four years. Each Canton constitutes an electoral constituency. The seats are allocated to the Cantons according to their relative populations. Each Canton has at least one seat. The Cantons determine the rules for the election of their representatives to the Council of States
Source: Constitution, Art. 149, 150: https://www.admin.ch/opc/en/classified-compilation/19995395/201506140000/101.pdf (2015); Electoral Law of 17 December 1976 regulating political rights: http://www.admin.ch/ch/f/rs/161_1/index.html (2014)
Verified: 2025/03/28
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
LF003

Electoral Law covers
Question:The national electoral law covers:
Answer(s): a. National elections
d. Referendums
Comments:
Source: Constitution, Art. 138 - 142, 149, 150: http://www.admin.ch/ch/f/rs/161_1/index.html (2014); Electoral Law of 17 December 1976 regulating political rights: http://www.admin.ch/ch/f/rs/161_1/index.html (2014)
Verified: 2025/03/28
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
LF004

Compulsory/voluntary voting
Question:Is voting on the national level voluntary or compulsory?
Answer(s): a. Voting is voluntary
d. Voting is compulsory within certain regions of the country
Comments: a) With the only exception of the canton of Schaffhausen where voting is compulsory.
Source: Constitution, Art. 39, 136: http://www.admin.ch/ch/f/rs/161_1/index.html (2014) Election Law of Schaffhausen (Gesetz über die vom Volke vorzunehmenden Abstimmungen und Wahlen sowie über die Ausübung der Volksrechte (Wahlgesetz) )Art. 9: http://rechtsbuch.sh.ch/fileadmin/Redaktoren/Dokumente/gesetzestexte/Band_1/160.100.pdf (2014)
Verified: 2025/03/28
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
LF007

Electoral Disputes Agency(ies)
Question:What are the agency(ies) responsible for the first level of formal electoral disputes?
Answer(s): d. Other
Comments: d) The canton government
Source: Electoral Law of 17 December 1976 regulating political rights, Art. 77: http://www.admin.ch/ch/f/rs/161_1/index.html (2014)
Verified: 2025/03/28
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
The data on this page is continuously updated. Additional, but potentially outdated material is available here.