What does the right to vote (active suffrage) mean in a democracy?

«Active» means: you take part yourself and cast your vote. The active right to vote is the right to vote in elections and popular votes.

Common mistakes

B: You can be elected to political office.

Being able to be elected is called the passive right to vote (eligibility for election). That is the other side.

A: You may only vote in elections and popular votes if you are active in a political party.

You do not have to be in a party to be allowed to vote in elections and popular votes.

Who may vote in elections and popular votes?

At federal level, only people who have Swiss citizenship and are at least 18 years old may have a say. These people are called voters (Stimmberechtigte). Where you were born, how much tax you pay or whether you have a criminal record does not matter. Only a few adults are excluded: those who permanently cannot decide for themselves because of a serious mental illness or disability.

Having a say: rights and obligations · Elections and popular votes

Sources

• stadt-zuerich.ch
• ch.ch
• fedlex.admin.ch

Official question of the Canton of Zurich (Gemeindeamt, May 2025). Translation and explanation: Swiss Passport.