A nine-part referendum was held in Switzerland on 14 January 1866.[1] Only two proposals received a majority of votes in favour, and only one had both a majority of votes and majority of cantons.[1]
Background
In order to pass, the referendums needed 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]
Results
Question I – weights and measures
| Choice
|
Popular vote
|
Cantons
|
| Votes
|
%
|
Full
|
Half
|
Total
|
| For |
159,182 |
50.4 |
8 |
3 |
9.5
|
| Against |
156,396 |
49.6 |
11 |
3 |
12.5
|
| Invalid/blank votes |
|
– |
– |
– |
–
|
| Total |
315,578 |
100 |
19 |
6 |
22
|
| Source: Nohlen & Stöver
|
Question II – equality of rights to settlement for Jews and naturalised people
| Choice
|
Popular vote
|
Cantons
|
| Votes
|
%
|
Full
|
Half
|
Total
|
| For |
170,032 |
53.2 |
11 |
3 |
12.5
|
| Against |
149,401 |
46.8 |
8 |
3 |
9.5
|
| Invalid/blank votes |
|
– |
– |
– |
–
|
| Total |
319,433 |
100 |
19 |
6 |
22
|
| Source: Nohlen & Stöver
|
Question III – local suffrage for settled people
| Choice
|
Popular vote
|
Cantons
|
| Votes
|
%
|
Full
|
Half
|
Total
|
| For |
137,321 |
43.1 |
7 |
2 |
8
|
| Against |
181,441 |
56.9 |
12 |
4 |
14
|
| Invalid/blank votes |
|
– |
– |
– |
–
|
| Total |
318,762 |
100 |
19 |
6 |
22
|
| Source: Nohlen & Stöver
|
Question IV – taxation and civil rights of settled people
| Choice
|
Popular vote
|
Cantons
|
| Votes
|
%
|
Full
|
Half
|
Total
|
| For |
125,924 |
39.9 |
8 |
2 |
9
|
| Against |
189,830 |
60.1 |
11 |
4 |
13
|
| Invalid/blank votes |
|
– |
– |
– |
–
|
| Total |
315,754 |
100 |
19 |
6 |
22
|
| Source: Nohlen & Stöver
|
Question V – cantonal suffrage for settled people
| Choice
|
Popular vote
|
Cantons
|
| Votes
|
%
|
Full
|
Half
|
Total
|
| For |
153,469 |
48.1 |
9 |
2 |
10
|
| Against |
165,679 |
51.9 |
10 |
4 |
12
|
| Invalid/blank votes |
|
– |
– |
– |
–
|
| Total |
319,148 |
100 |
19 |
6 |
22
|
| Source: Nohlen & Stöver
|
Question VI – religious and cultural freedom
| Choice
|
Popular vote
|
Cantons
|
| Votes
|
%
|
Full
|
Half
|
Total
|
| For |
157,629 |
49.2 |
10 |
2 |
11
|
| Against |
162,992 |
50.8 |
9 |
4 |
11
|
| Invalid/blank votes |
|
– |
– |
– |
–
|
| Total |
320,621 |
100 |
19 |
6 |
22
|
| Source: Nohlen & Stöver
|
Question VII – criminal law
| Choice
|
Popular vote
|
Cantons
|
| Votes
|
%
|
Full
|
Half
|
Total
|
| For |
108,364 |
34.2 |
6 |
1 |
6.5
|
| Against |
208,619 |
65.8 |
13 |
5 |
15.5
|
| Invalid/blank votes |
|
– |
– |
– |
–
|
| Total |
316,983 |
100 |
19 |
6 |
22
|
| Source: Nohlen & Stöver
|
Question VIII – copyright law
| Choice
|
Popular vote
|
Cantons
|
| Votes
|
%
|
Full
|
Half
|
Total
|
| For |
137,476 |
43.7 |
8 |
3 |
9.5
|
| Against |
177,386 |
56.3 |
11 |
3 |
12.5
|
| Invalid/blank votes |
|
– |
– |
– |
–
|
| Total |
314,862 |
100 |
19 |
6 |
22
|
| Source: Nohlen & Stöver
|
Question IX – prohibition of gambling and lotteries
| Choice
|
Popular vote
|
Cantons
|
| Votes
|
%
|
Full
|
Half
|
Total
|
| For |
139,062 |
44.0 |
8 |
3 |
9.5
|
| Against |
176,788 |
56.0 |
11 |
3 |
12.5
|
| Invalid/blank votes |
|
– |
– |
– |
–
|
| Total |
315,850 |
100 |
19 |
6 |
22
|
| Source: Nohlen & Stöver
|
References
- ^ a b Nohlen, D & Stöver, P (2010) Elections in Europe: A data handbook, pp1901-1902 ISBN 978-3-8329-5609-7
- ^ a b c Nohlen & Stöver, p1891