1920 Swiss referendums
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Five referendums were held in Switzerland during 1920.[1] The first three were held on 21 March on a federal law on regulating employment contracts, a ban on creating gambling establishments and a counterproposal to the ban.[1] The fourth was held on 16 May on membership of the League of Nations (of which Switzerland had become a founding member the previous year),[2] whilst the fifth was held on 31 October on a federal law on working times on railways and other transport services.[1] Three of the five referendums, on the ban on gambling establishments, League of Nations membership and the law on working times, were passed.[1]
Background
The referendum on joining the League of Nations was a mandatory referendum, whilst the ban on gambling establishments was a popular initiative.[1] Together with the counter-proposal, all three required a double majority; a majority of the popular vote and majority of the cantons.[3] The decision of each canton was based on the vote in that canton.[3] Full cantons counted as one vote, whilst half cantons counted as half.[3] The referendums on employment contracts and working times were optional referendums,[1] which required only a majority of the public vote.[3]
Contemporary analyses indicate that support for Swiss membership in the League of Nations was led by the Independent Democratic (Radical) Party, the Liberal Democratic (Protestant Conservative) Party, the anti-Bolshevist Peasantsâ Party, the Christian Social Party, and the Griitlianer. Opposition came from Socialists aligned with Bolshevism and a faction of senior Swiss army officers led by Ulrich Wille, while Catholic Conservatives were divided.[2]
Results
Federal law on regulating employment contracts
| Choice | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
| For | 254,455 | 49.8 |
| Against | 256,401 | 50.2 |
| Blank votes | 36,755 | â |
| Invalid votes | 30,396 | â |
| Total | 578,007 | 100 |
| Registered voters/turnout | 957,386 | 60.3 |
| Source: Nohlen & Stöver | ||
Ban on creating gambling establishments
| Choice | Popular vote | Cantons | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | Full | Half | Total | |
| For | 276,021 | 55.3 | 13 | 2 | 14 |
| Against | 223,122 | 44.7 | 6 | 4 | 8 |
| Blank votes | 23,138 | â | â | â | â |
| Invalid votes | 45,538 | â | â | â | â |
| Total | 567,819 | 100 | 19 | 6 | 22 |
| Registered voters/turnout | 957,386 | 59.3 | â | â | â |
| Source: Nohlen & Stöver | |||||
Counterproposal on gambling establishments
| Choice | Popular vote | Cantons | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | Full | Half | Total | |
| For | 122,240 | 26.1 | 0 | 1 | 0.5 |
| Against | 345,327 | 73.9 | 19 | 5 | 21.5 |
| Blank votes | 23,138 | â | â | â | â |
| Invalid votes | 45,538 | â | â | â | â |
| Total | 536,243 | 100 | 19 | 6 | 22 |
| Registered voters/turnout | 957,386 | 56.0 | â | â | â |
| Source: Nohlen & Stöver | |||||
League of Nations membership
| Choice | Popular vote | Cantons | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | Full | Half | Total | |
| For | 416,870 | 56.3 | 10 | 3 | 11.5 |
| Against | 323,719 | 43.7 | 9 | 3 | 10.5 |
| Blank votes | 6,502 | â | â | â | â |
| Invalid votes | 4,039 | â | â | â | â |
| Total | 751,130 | 100 | 19 | 6 | 22 |
| Registered voters/turnout | 968,327 | 77.6 | â | â | â |
| Source: Nohlen & Stöver | |||||
Federal law on working time
| Choice | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
| For | 369,466 | 57.1 |
| Against | 277,342 | 42.9 |
| Blank votes | 8,618 | â |
| Invalid votes | 1,487 | â |
| Total | 656,913 | 100 |
| Registered voters/turnout | 964,587 | 68.1 |
| Source: Nohlen & Stöver | ||
