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Lower taxes, lighter traffic: How did Swiss cantons vote in Sunday’s referendums?

GenevaTimes by GenevaTimes
September 28, 2026
in Switzerland
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Besides casting votes on two Switzerland-wide initiatives, citizens of several cantons also weighed in on issues of regional importance.

Swiss voters have soundly rejected – by 70.1 and 72.5 percent, respectively – the national initiatives for tighter neutrality and higher food security. 

What is the outcome of cantonal votes?

These are the issues voted on in some cantons:

Vaud: Taxes

Just over 53 percent of voters accepted the proposal seeking a 12-percent cut in cantonal income and wealth tax for individuals.

In response, cantonal authorities – which had urged the ‘no’ vote, pointing out that accepting the initiative would lead to a 272-million-franc drop in state coffers each year, impacting the financing of a variety of public programmes – said they “will promptly propose” adjustments to the 2027 budget. 

They did not specify at this time where cuts will be made.

Don’t miss our journalists’ daily news roundup from Switzerland

Geneva: Paying for France’s infrastructure

The 39.5-million franc contribution to transport infrastructure in neighbouring French regions was approved by 56.7 percent of voters.

Almost all parties supported the measure, arguing that the money will help reduce the number of cars at border crossings and on the cantonal road network – a huge headache for local residents.

READ MORE: Why has traffic in Geneva become a nightmare for residents? 

Also is Geneva: The canton has become the first in Switzerland to accept the universal free access to contraception.

The Socialist initiative to this effec was approved by 58.4 percent of voters.

Zurich: Assisted dying

About 67 percent of voters approved the legislative amendment stipulatating that private retirement and nursing homes, as well as hospitals and rehabilitation clinics in Zurich, must accept assisted dying services on their premises.

The only exceptions would be psychiatric facilities and prisons.

To date, while this practice is allowed in publically-funded institutions, private retirement and nursing homes in Zurich have not been legally required to permit end-of-life care or assisted suicide in their facilities (though patients can choose to go to a private clinic for that purpose).

The vote aimed to ensure that an institution’s religious or ideological orientation does not deny patients access to these services.

READ MORE: Which Swiss cantons allow assisted dying in care homes?

Basel-City: Ban on illegal demonstrations

Just over 64.3 percent of local voters turned down the ‘Anti-Chaos Initiative’ – a measure calling on the cantonal government to consistently prevent unauthorised demonstrations and rallies, as well as hold organisers and participants financially responsible for property damage and costs of police action.

Voters, however, saw the proposal as an attack on fundamental rights and a move seeking to curtail the freedom of expression and assembly.

And on a municipal level…

City of Lucerne: Yes to minimum wage

A minimum wage of 22.75 francs has been in effect in Lucerne since the beginning of 2026.

Centre-right parties and business associations had, however, sought to abolish it, citing “unnecessary bureaucracy.”

But on Sunday, 67.6 percent of Lucerne citizens voted against repealing the law.

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