1938 Swiss referendums

Six referendums were held in Switzerland during 1938.^[1] The first four were held on 20 February; the first on amending articles 107 and 116 of the constitution to make Romansch an official language, which was approved by over 90% of voters and all cantons.^[1] The second was on a popular initiative "on urgent federal resolutions and the protection of people's rights" and was rejected by 85% of voters.^[1] The third was on a popular initiative on the private arms industry, and was also rejected by a wide margin, whilst the fourth was on a counter-proposal to the arms industry question, and was approved by voters.^[1] The fifth referendum was held on 3 July on the penal code, and was approved.^[1] The sixth and final referendum of the year was held on 27 November on a federal resolution on the transient order of the federal budget, and was approved by 72% of voters.^[1]

Background

The referendums on making Romansch an official language and the federal budget were both "obligatory" referendums,^[1] requiring a double majority; a majority of the popular vote and majority of the cantons.^[2] The decision of each canton was based on the vote in that canton.^[2] Full cantons counted as one vote, whilst half cantons counted as half.^[2] The popular initiatives on federal resolutions and the arms industry also required a double majority, as did the counter proposal to the arms industry question.^[1][2] The referendum on the penal code was an "optional referendum",^[1] which required only a majority of voters in favour.

Results

February: Romansch as an official language

Choice	Popular vote		Cantons
	Votes	%	Full	Half	Total
For	574,991	91.6	19	6	22
Against	52,827	8.4	0	0	0
Blank votes	24,692	–	–	–	–
Invalid votes	8,512	–	–	–	–
Total	661,022	100	19	6	22
Registered voters/turnout	1,216,756	54.3	–	–	–
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

February: popular initiative on federal resolutions

Choice	Popular vote		Cantons
	Votes	%	Full	Half	Total
For	87,638	15.2	0	0	0
Against	488,195	84.8	19	6	22
Blank votes	63,433	–	–	–	–
Invalid votes	21,756	–	–	–	–
Total	661,022	100	19	6	22
Registered voters/turnout	1,216,756	54.3	–	–	–
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

February: popular initiative on the private arms industry

Choice	Popular vote		Cantons
	Votes	%	Full	Half	Total
For	65,938	11.5	0	0	0
Against	419,013	73.2	19	6	22
No answer	87,630	15.3	–	–	–
Blank votes	52,896	–	–	–	–
Invalid votes	35,542	–	–	–	–
Total	661,022	100	19	6	22
Registered voters/turnout	1,216,756	54.3	–	–	–
Source: Direct Democracy

February: Counter-proposal on the private arms industry

Choice	Popular vote		Cantons
	Votes	%	Full	Half	Total
For	394,052	68.8	19	6	22
Against	149,025	26.0	0	0	0
No answer	29,504	15.3	–	–	–
Blank votes	52,896	–	–	–	–
Invalid votes	35,542	–	–	–	–
Total	661,022	100	19	6	22
Registered voters/turnout	1,216,756	54.3	–	–	–
Source: Direct Democracy

July: Penal code

Choice	Votes	%
For	358,438	53.5
Against	312,030	46.5
Blank votes	23,455	–
Invalid votes	2,016	–
Total	695,939	100
Registered voters/turnout	1,219,755	57.1
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

November: Federal budget

Choice	Popular vote		Cantons
	Votes	%	Full	Half	Total
For	509,387	72.3	18	6	21
Against	195,538	27.7	1	0	1
Blank votes	30,951	–	–	–	–
Invalid votes	2,431	–	–	–	–
Total	738,307	100	19	6	22
Registered voters/turnout	1,223,336	60.4	–	–	–
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

References

1. Nohlen, D & Stöver, P (2010) Elections in Europe: A data handbook, pp1911–1912 ISBN 9783832956097
2. Nohlen & Stöver, p1891