1939 Swiss referendums
Four referendums were held in Switzerland during 1939.[1] The first two were held on 22 January on a popular initiative on civil rights (which was rejected) and a federal resolution on the restricted use of the urgency clause in the constitution (which was approved).[1] The third was held on 4 June on a constitutional amendment regarding the funding for government policies on defence and unemployment, and was approved by voters.[1] The fourth was held on 3 December on a federal law on the employment status and insurance for federal civil servants, and was rejected by voters.[1]
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Background
The referendums on the urgency clause and the funding of defence and unemployment policies both involved amending the constitution, and so were "obligatory" referendums,[1] requiring a double majority; a majority of the popular vote and majority of the cantons.[2] The decision of each canton was based on the vote in that canton.[2] Full cantons counted as one vote, whilst half cantons counted as half.[2] The popular initiative on civil rights also required a double majority, whilst the referendum on civil servants was an optional referendum,[1] requiring only a majority of voters in favour to pass.[2]
Results
January: popular initiative on civil rights
| Choice | Popular vote | Cantons | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | Full | Half | Total | |
| For | 141,323 | 28.9 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Against | 347,340 | 71.1 | 19 | 6 | 22 |
| Blank votes | 77,687 | – | – | – | – |
| Invalid votes | 3,211 | – | – | – | – |
| Total | 569,561 | 100 | 19 | 6 | 22 |
| Registered voters/turnout | 1,223,536 | 46.6 | – | – | – |
| Source: Nohlen & Stöver | |||||
January: Use of the urgency clause
| Choice | Popular vote | Cantons | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | Full | Half | Total | |
| For | 346,024 | 69.1 | 18 | 6 | 21 |
| Against | 155,032 | 30.9 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Blank votes | 65,459 | – | – | – | – |
| Invalid votes | 3,046 | – | – | – | – |
| Total | 569,561 | 100 | 19 | 6 | 22 |
| Registered voters/turnout | 1,223,536 | 46.6 | – | – | – |
| Source: Nohlen & Stöver | |||||
June: Funding for defence and unemployment policy
| Choice | Popular vote | Cantons | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | Full | Half | Total | |
| For | 445,622 | 69.1 | 16 | 6 | 19 |
| Against | 199,540 | 30.9 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Blank votes | 24,871 | – | – | – | – |
| Invalid votes | 1,420 | – | – | – | – |
| Total | 671,453 | 100 | 19 | 6 | 22 |
| Registered voters/turnout | 1,226,873 | 54.7 | – | – | – |
| Source: Nohlen & Stöver | |||||
December: Civil servants
| Choice | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
| For | 290,238 | 37.6 |
| Against | 481,035 | 62.4 |
| Blank votes | 19,524 | – |
| Invalid votes | 2,102 | – |
| Total | 792,899 | 100 |
| Registered voters/turnout | 1,241,404 | 63.9 |
| Source: Nohlen & Stöver | ||
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