A three-part referendum was held in Switzerland on 4 October 1896.[1] Voters were asked whether they approved of each of the following proposals: a federal law on guarantees in the cattle trade, a federal law on the accounting system for the railways and a federal law on the disciplinary penal code for the federal army.[1] Whilst the law on the railways was approved, the other two were rejected by voters.[1]
Background
The referendums were optional referendums,[1] which required only a majority of the public vote,[2] rather than a majority of votes and cantons.[2]
Results
Cattle trade guarantees law
| Choice
|
Votes
|
%
|
| For |
174,880 |
45.5
|
| Against |
209,118 |
54.5
|
| Blank votes |
20,483 |
–
|
| Invalid votes |
6,827 |
–
|
| Total |
411,308 |
100
|
| Registered voters/turnout |
714,033 |
57.6
|
| Source: Nohlen & Stöver
|
Railways accounting law
| Choice
|
Votes
|
%
|
| For |
223,228 |
55.8
|
| Against |
176,577 |
44.2
|
| Blank votes |
10,095 |
–
|
| Invalid votes |
3,089 |
–
|
| Total |
412,989 |
100
|
| Registered voters/turnout |
714,033 |
57.8
|
| Source: Nohlen & Stöver
|
Military penal code law
| Choice
|
Votes
|
%
|
| For |
77,169 |
19.9
|
| Against |
310,992 |
80.1
|
| Blank votes |
15,717 |
–
|
| Invalid votes |
7,295 |
–
|
| Total |
411,173 |
100
|
| Registered voters/turnout |
714,033 |
57.6
|
| Source: Nohlen & Stöver
|
References
- ^ a b c d Nohlen, D & Stöver, P (2010) Elections in Europe: A data handbook, p1905 ISBN 9783832956097
- ^ a b Nohlen & Stöver, p1891