1985 Swiss referendums

Twelve referendums were held in Switzerland in 1985.[1] The first four were held on 10 March on abolishing primary school fees (approved), abolishing the government contribution to healthcare spending (approved), a federal resolution on education fees (rejected) and a popular initiative on extending paid leave (rejected).[1] The next set of four was held on 9 June on the "right to life" popular initiative (rejected), abolishing the cantonal share of profits from banks' stamp duty (approved), a federal resolution on the taxation raised from the sale of spirits (approved), and the abolition of grants for the self-supply of breadstuffs (approved).[2]

A further three referendums were held on 22 September on a popular initiative to co-ordinate the start of the school year (approved), a federal resolution on giving small and medium enterprises an advantage in cases on innovations (rejected), and amendments to the Swiss Civil Code (approved).[2] The final referendum was held on 1 December on a popular initiative to ban vivisection, which was rejected.[2]

Results

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March: Abolition of primary school fees

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Choice Popular vote Cantons
Votes % Full Half Total
For 802,882 58.5 15 6 18
Against 570,221 41.5 5 0 5
Blank votes 46,403
Invalid votes 1,932
Total 1,421,438 100 20 6 23
Registered voters/turnout 4,134,052 34.4
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

March: Healthcare

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Choice Popular vote Cantons
Votes % Full Half Total
For 726,781 53.0 10 6 13
Against 644,649 47.0 10 0 10
Blank votes 48,766
Invalid votes 1,951
Total 1,422,147 100 20 6 23
Registered voters/turnout 4,134,052 34.4
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

March: Education fees

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Choice Popular vote Cantons
Votes % Full Half Total
For 651,854 47.6 7 3 8.5
Against 716,717 52.4 13 3 14.5
Blank votes 51,614
Invalid votes 2,020
Total 1,422,205 100 20 6 23
Registered voters/turnout 4,134,052 34.4
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

March: Extending paid leave

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Choice Popular vote Cantons
Votes % Full Half Total
For 489,995 34.8 2 0 2
Against 918,685 65.2 18 6 21
Blank votes 19,961
Invalid votes 1,729
Total 1,430,370 100 20 6 23
Registered voters/turnout 4,134,052 34.6
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

June: Right to life

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Choice Popular vote Cantons
Votes % Full Half Total
For 448,016 31.0 4 3 5.5
Against 999,077 69.0 16 3 17.5
Blank votes 31,856
Invalid votes 1,523
Total 1,480,472 100 20 6 23
Registered voters/turnout 4,144,312 35.7
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

June: Stamp duty for banks

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Choice Popular vote Cantons
Votes % Full Half Total
For 903,345 66.5 19 6 22
Against 454,560 33.5 1 0 1
Blank votes 100,995
Invalid votes 1,794
Total 1,460,694 100 20 6 23
Registered voters/turnout 4,144,312 35.2
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

June: Tax on spirits

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Choice Popular vote Cantons
Votes % Full Half Total
For 982,318 72.3 19 6 22
Against 376,135 27.7 1 0 1
Blank votes 100,479
Invalid votes 1,839
Total 1,460,771 100 20 6 23
Registered voters/turnout 4,144,312 35.2
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

June: Breadstuffs

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Choice Popular vote Cantons
Votes % Full Half Total
For 787,156 57.0 16 5 18.5
Against 592,751 43.0 4 1 4.5
Blank votes 82,030
Invalid votes 1,697
Total 1,463,634 100 20 6 23
Registered voters/turnout 4,144,312 35.3
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

September: Co-ordinating the start of the School year

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Choice Popular vote Cantons
Votes % Full Half Total
For 984,463 58.8 14 4 16
Against 688,459 41.2 6 2 7
Blank votes 30,555
Invalid votes 2,223
Total 1,705,700 100 20 6 23
Registered voters/turnout 4,160,547 41.0
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

September: Innovations

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Choice Votes %
For 695,288 43.1
Against 917,507 56.9
Blank votes 84,782
Invalid votes 2,639
Total 1,700,216 100
Registered voters/turnout 4,160,547 40.9
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

September: Changes to the Civil Code

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Choice Votes %
For 921,743 54.7
Against 762,619 45.3
Blank votes 23,290
Invalid votes 2,223
Total 1,709,875 100
Registered voters/turnout 4,160,547 41.1
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

December: Banning vivisection

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Choice Popular vote Cantons
Votes % Full Half Total
For 459,358 29.5 0 0 0
Against 1,099,122 70.5 20 6 23
Blank votes 21,118
Invalid votes 2,680
Total 1,582,278 100 20 6 23
Registered voters/turnout 4,167,376 38.0
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

References

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  1. ^ a b Nohlen, D & Stöver, P (2010) Elections in Europe: A data handbook, pp1929–1930 ISBN 9783832956097
  2. ^ a b c Nohlen & Stöver, p1930