1940 Swiss military referendum

1940 Swiss military referendum

1 December 1940

Introduction of compulsory military preliminary training
Results
Choice
Votes %
Yes 345,430 44.27%
No 434,817 55.73%
Valid votes 780,247 97.76%
Invalid or blank votes 17,838 2.24%
Total votes 798,085 100.00%
Registered voters/turnout 1,254,578 63.61%

A referendum on the military was held in Switzerland on 1 December 1940.[1] Voters were asked whether they approved of amending articles 103 and 104 of the federal law that detailed the organisation of the Swiss military.[1] The proposal was rejected by 55.7% of voters.[1]

Background

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The referendum was an optional referendum,[1] which only required a majority of the vote in favour, as opposed to a mandatory referendum, which required both a majority of the popular vote and majority of the cantons to be in favour.[2]

Results

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Choice Votes %
For 345,430 44.3
Against 434,817 55.7
Blank votes 14,716
Invalid votes 3,122
Total 798,085 100
Registered voters/turnout 1,254,578 63.6
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Nohlen, Dieter; Stöver, Philip (2010). Elections in Europe A Data Handbook. Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft Mbh & Company. p. 1912. ISBN 978-3-8329-5609-7.
  2. ^ Nohlen & Stöver, p1891