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 the League of Nations (which Switzerland had become a founding member of the previous year), whilst the fifth was held on 31 October on a federal law on working times on railways and other transport services.[1] Of the five, only 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.[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 referendums on employment contracts and working times were optional referendums,[1] which required only a majority of the public vote.[2]
Results
Federal law on regulating employment contracts
Choice
Votes
%
For
254,455
49.8
Against
256,401
50.2
Blank votes
36,755
–
Invalid votes
30,396
–
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
–
–
–
–
Invalid votes
45,538
–
–
–
–
Total
567,819
100
19
6
22
Registered voters/turnout
957,386
59.3
–
–
–
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
–
–
–
–
Invalid votes
45,538
–
–
–
–
Total
536,243
100
19
6
22
Registered voters/turnout
957,386
56.0
–
–
–
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
–
–
–
–
Invalid votes
4,039
–
–
–
–
Total
751,130
100
19
6
22
Registered voters/turnout
968,327
77.6
–
–
–
Source: Nohlen & Stöver
Federal law on working time
Choice
Votes
%
For
369,466
57.1
Against
277,342
42.9
Blank votes
8,618
–
Invalid votes
1,487
–
Total
656,913
100
Registered voters/turnout
964,587
68.1
Source: Nohlen & Stöver
References
^ abcdefNohlen, D & Stöver, P (2010) Elections in Europe: A data handbook, p1908 ISBN 9783832956097
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