Swiss Passport

Question 48 of 350 · Initiative and referendum

When is an initiative at federal level accepted?

Wann ist eine Initiative auf Bundesebene angenommen?

Correct answer: C

  1. AWith a majority of the cantonsBei Ständemehr
  2. BWith a majority of the peopleBei Volksmehr
  3. CWith a majority of the people and a majority of the cantonsBei Volksmehr und Ständemehr
  4. DWith a majority of the people and at least one third of the cantonsBei Volksmehr und mindestens einem Drittel der Stände

Why

A popular initiative amends the Federal Constitution. This always requires both: the majority of votes in the whole country and the majority of the cantons.

Common mistakes

A: With a majority of the cantons
The majority of the cantons alone is not enough. The majority of voters must also say yes.
B: With a majority of the people
The majority of the people alone is only enough for an optional referendum against a law. An initiative also needs the majority of the cantons.
D: With a majority of the people and at least one third of the cantons
There is no rule with one third of the cantons. The majority of the cantons is needed.

Topic

Majority of the people and majority of the cantons

In some popular votes it is not enough for more than half of the voters to say yes. A majority of the cantons is also needed. This is called the double majority: majority of the people and majority of the cantons.

Having a say: rights and obligations · Initiative and referendum

Sources

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