1898 Swiss referendums

none Three referendums were held in Switzerland during 1898.Nohlen, D & Stöver, P (2010) Elections in Europe: A data handbook, p1905 9783832956097 The first was held on 20 February on a federal law that would nationalise the railways, and was approved by a majority of voters, leading to the establishment of Swiss Federal Railways in 1902. The second and third referendums were held on 13 November on revising article 64 and adding article 64bis to the constitution (unifying civil and criminal law across the country, respectively), both of which were approved by a majority of voters and cantons. Background The referendums on the constitutional amendments were mandatory referendums, which required a double majority; a majority of the popular vote and majority of the cantons.Nohlen & Stöver, p1891 The decision of each canton was based on the vote in that canton. Full cantons counted as one vote, whilst half cantons counted as half. The railways referendum was an optional referendum, which required only a majority of the public vote. Results Railway nationalisation ChoiceVotes%For386,63467.9Against182,71832.1Blank votes2,754–Invalid votes1,459–Total573,565100Registered voters/turnout734,64478.1Source: Nohlen & Stöver Amendment to article 64 of the constitution ChoicePopular voteCantonsVotes%FullHalfTotalFor264,91472.215316.5Against101,76227.8435.5Blank votes15,922––––Invalid votes4,628––––Total387,22610019622Registered voters/turnout734,07552.8–––Source: Nohlen & Stöver Addition of article 64bis to the constitution ChoicePopular voteCantonsVotes%FullHalfTotalFor266,61072.415316.5Against101,78027.6435.5Blank votes15,300––––Invalid votes3,903––––Total387,59310019622Registered voters/turnout734,07552.8–––Source: Nohlen & Stöver References Politics Switzerland Category:1898 referendums Category:1898 in Switzerland Category:Referendums in Switzerland