1976 Swiss referendums

Ten referendums were held in Switzerland in 1976.[1] The first two were held on 21 March on popular initiatives "for employees' participation" (with a counter-proposal; both were rejected), and "for taxation reform" (also rejected).[2] The next three were held on 13 June on a federal law on spatial planning (rejected), a CHF 200 million loan to the International Development Association (rejected), and renewing unemployment insurance (approved).[2]

Two referendums were held on 26 September on an amendment to the Swiss Federal Constitution on broadcasting (rejected) and a popular initiative "for liability insurance by the union for motor vehicles and bicycless" (rejected). The final three referendums were held on 5 December on monetary policy (approved), price monitoring (approved) and a popular initiative to introduce a 40-hour working week (rejected).

Results

March: Employees' participation

Choice	Popular initiative					Counterproposal
	Popular vote		Cantons			Popular vote		Cantons
	Votes	%	Full	Half	Total	Votes	%	Full	Half	Total
For	472,094	32.4	0	0	0	431,690	29.6	0	0	0
Against	966,140	66.3	19	6	22	974,695	66.9	0	0	0
No answer	19,725	1.4	–	–	–	51,574	3.5	–	–	–
Blank votes	15,198	–	–	–	–	15,198	–	–	–	–
Invalid votes	6,248	–	–	–	–	6,248	–	–	–	–
Total	1,479,405	100	19	6	22	1,479,405	100	19	6	22
Registered voters/turnout	3,750,162	39.4	–	–	–	3,750,162	39.4	–	–	–
Source: Direct Democracy

March: Taxation reform

Choice	Votes	%
For	599,053	42.2
Against	819,830	57.8
Blank votes	53,291	–
Invalid votes	1,911	–
Total	1,474,085	100
Registered voters/turnout	3,750,162	39.3
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

June: Spatial planning

Choice	Votes	%
For	626,134	48.9
Against	654,233	51.1
Blank votes	17,061	–
Invalid votes	1,237	–
Total	1,298,665	100
Registered voters/turnout	3,756,474	34.6
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

June: General tariff

Choice	Votes	%
For	646,687	48.2
Against	694,252	51.8
Blank votes	26,004	–
Invalid votes	1,589	–
Total	1,368,532	100
Registered voters/turnout	3,756,474	34.5
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

June: Unemployment insurance

Choice	Popular vote		Cantons
	Votes	%	Full	Half	Total
For	866,211	68.3	18	6	21
Against	402,550	31.7	1	0	1
Blank votes	26,901	–	–	–	–
Invalid votes	1,312	–	–	–	–
Total	1,296,974	100	19	6	22
Registered voters/turnout	3,756,474	34.5	–	–	–
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

September: Constitutional amendment on broadcasting

Choice	Popular vote		Cantons
	Votes	%	Full	Half	Total
For	531,328	43.3	3	1	3.5
Against	696,039	56.7	16	5	18.5
Blank votes	33,027	–	–	–	–
Invalid votes	1,586	–	–	–	–
Total	1,261,980	100	19	6	22
Registered voters/turnout	3,766,161	33.5	–	–	–
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

September: Liability insurance

Choice	Popular vote		Cantons
	Votes	%	Full	Half	Total
For	301,587	24.3	0	0	0
Against	939,713	75.7	19	6	22
Blank votes	20,543	–	–	–	–
Invalid votes	1,355	–	–	–	–
Total	1,263,198	100	19	6	22
Registered voters/turnout	3,766,161	33.5	–	–	–
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

December: Monetary policy

Choice	Popular vote		Cantons
	Votes	%	Full	Half	Total
For	1,108,413	70.3	19	6	22
Against	467,253	29.7	0	0	0
Blank votes	112,847	–	–	–	–
Invalid votes	2,998	–	–	–	–
Total	1,691,511	100	19	6	22
Registered voters/turnout	3,772,466	44.8	–	–	–
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

December: Price monitoring

Choice	Popular vote		Cantons
	Votes	%	Full	Half	Total
For	1,365,788	82.0	19	6	22
Against	299,367	18.0	0	0	0
Blank votes	32,177	–	–	–	–
Invalid votes	2,286	–	–	–	–
Total	1,699,618	100	19	6	22
Registered voters/turnout	3,772,466	45.1	–	–	–
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

December: 40-hour working week

Choice	Popular vote		Cantons
	Votes	%	Full	Half	Total
For	370,228	22.0	0	0	0
Against	1,315,822	78.0	19	6	22
Blank votes	15,309	–	–	–	–
Invalid votes	2,140	–	–	–	–
Total	1,703,499	100	19	6	22
Registered voters/turnout	3,772,466	45.2	–	–	–
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

References

1. Nohlen, D & Stöver, P (2010) Elections in Europe: A data handbook, pp1923–1924 ISBN 9783832956097
2. Nohlen & Stöver, p1923