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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

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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]

According to a contemporary analysis, support and opposition for joining the League of Nations were organized along the following lines:

Acceptance of membership in the league was strongly favored by the powerful Independent Democratic (Radical) party, the Liberal Democratic (Protestant Conservative) party, the recently formed anti-bolshevist Peasants' party, the Christian Social party, and the Griitlianer. The Catholic Conservatives were divided, some of their most eminent leaders, both lay and clerical, being found in opposing camps. The Socialists who have accepted bolshevism leadership fought the league with all their accustomed arguments and bitterness. Curiously enough, the same attitude was taken by a group of the higher officers of the Swiss army, led by Ulrich Wille, the former general in chief. Party lines were more or less cut across, however, by racial, linguistic, religious and personal prejudices.[2]

Results

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Federal law on regulating employment contracts

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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  1. ^ a b c d e f Nohlen, D & Stöver, P (2010) Elections in Europe: A data handbook, p1908 ISBN 9783832956097
  2. ^ a b Brooks, Robert C. (1920). "Swiss Referendum on the League of Nations". American Political Science Review. 14 (3): 477–480. doi:10.2307/1946268. ISSN 0003-0554.
  3. ^ a b c d Nohlen & Stöver, p1891