Swiss voters will have their say on two issues of national importance on November 30th. But some cantons and municipalities will hold their own local referendums as well. So what’s at stake?
Nationally, two topics are on the ballot.
One has to do with inheritance taxes for the wealthy and the other with the civic duty:
READ ALSO: Switzerland’s November referendums explained
Additionally, several issues of regional importance will be decided on the same day as well.
Let’s look at some of them.
Two cantons have voting rights for foreigners on their ballots:
Vaud: Expansion of political rights
The initiative calls for foreigners to be able to vote and be elected at the cantonal level.
Concretely, it aims to extend democratic rights – including the right to sign referendum petitions, vote, and stand for election – at the cantonal level to all foreign nationals living in the canton of Vaud for at least three years, and in Switzerland for at least 10 years.
Appenzell Ausserrhoden: Voting rights for foreigners
The canton will decide on its new constitution.
The main point of contention is the right of local foreigners to vote.
Proponents say foreign nationals should be granted voting rights, provided they have lived in Switzerland continuously for at least 10 years.
If this move is approved, Appenzell Ausserrhoden would be the first German-speaking canton to grant voting rights to foreign nationals at the cantonal level.
(So far, only two cantons, both in French-speaking Switzerland – Neuchâtel and Jura – allow foreigners to vote on cantonal level).
At the municipal level, the towns of Rehetobel, Speicher, Teufen, Trogen, and Wald already allow longtime foreign residents to vote.
READ ALSO: Where in Switzerland do foreigners have the right to vote?
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Geneva: Dental treatments
At stake is the initiative instigated by the Social Democratic party, “For affordable dental care for the entire population.”
The initiative calls for an annual check for 300 francs to cover dental visits. This check would be given to individuals eligible for health insurance premium reductions but who do not receive any other form of social assistance.
The estimated cost of this measure: 45.5 million francs per year.
Zurich: Affordable housing
Throughout the canton, landlords demolish older apartments or renovate them in order to double the rent.
As a result, long-term tenants are being forced out of their homes, because they can no longer afford the rent.
On November 30th, Zurich voters decide the direction in which the housing market in t Zurich should develop – for instance, one of the requirements would be for the canton to be informed about anyone wishing to purchase large areas of land, and for what purpose.
Zurich: the 30 km/h speed limit
Reduction of speed limits in cities from the current 50 to 30km/h is a hot-button topic across Switzerland.
In Zurich, the so-called ‘Mobility Initiative’ aims to make 30 km/h speed limits on main roads a cantonal matter.
Specifically, the initiative states that Zurich and Winterthur municipal authorities should no longer have a say in decisions regarding 30 km/h zones.
Instead, only the canton should make these decisions.
The reason is that Zurich cantonal government and parliament are concerned about the large number of 30 km/h zone projects in both these cities.
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And then there are issues on municipal ballots:
St. Gallen: Safe sex
This may seem like an odd (and overly personal) issue to be put on the ballot, but as you know by now, Swiss citizens cast their votes on all kinds of issues.
This particular one calls for voters to approve an initiative spearheaded by Young Greens, allowing people under 30 years of age to get tested for sexually transmitted diseases free of charge – that is, at taxpayers’ expense.
The initiative proposes amending the city’s municipal code with a corresponding clause.
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Bern: Fewer referendums, please!
Voters in Bern are called upon frequently to decide on all manner of issues – in fact, no other Swiss city holds as many municipal referendums.
That’s because in Bern, any municipal project exceeding 7 million francs always requires the approval of the people.
Therefore, on November 30th, voters will decide whether fewer proposals should be put to a public vote in the future.
