Only a handful of cantons currently allow non-Swiss to have a say in local politics. Where can they currently cast their votes, and under what conditions?
Though there have been a number of attempts in recent years to grant longtime foreign residents extended political rights, only a few cantons allow non-Swiss citizens to cast their votes on local issues.
In total, however, foreigners can vote in hundreds of municipalities across the country.
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In which regions can foreign nationals have a voice in local affairs?
The Swiss-French cantons and municipalities seem to be ahead of their German-speaking counterparts in regards to voting rights.
The cantons of Fribourg, Vaud, Neuchâtel and Jura allow non-citizens to vote, elect officials, and stand for election at communal level.
Conditions vary from one canton to another, but in most cases a certain length of stay and/or a residence permit are required.
In Vaud, for instance, where 30 percent of the population is foreign, immigrants can run for or sit on the communal or Town Council, as well as sign an initiative or a communal referendum.
However, in only two cantons – Neuchâtel and Jura – do non-Swiss have more extended voting rights, which means they can cast their votes on cantonal matters.
Who can vote locally?
In order to be eligible, foreign nationals must be over 18 years of age (just like Swiss citizens), hold a residence permit for at least 10 years, and live in the canton for at least three years.
All foreign nationals are directly entered in the electoral register once the requirements are met, and automatically receive the official material for votes and elections on a communal level.
There are no uniform regulations, however, but a mish-mash io rules instead.
For instance, Geneva, which has the largest foreign population in Switzerland (45 percent), grants foreigners voting rights at communal level, but they can’t run for office.
Basel-City, Graubünden, and Appenzell Ausserrhoden have authorised their communes to introduce the right to vote, the right to elect and the right to be elected.
But few of the communes have actually introduced these measures.
In Graubünden, only 10 of the canton’s 208 municipalities are allowing foreigners to vote: Bever, Bonaduz, Calfreise, Cazis, Conters im Prättigau, Fideris, Lüen, Masein, Portein, and Schnaus.
Only three of Appenzell Ausserrhoden’s 20 municipalities — Wald, Speicher, and Trogen — granted voting rights to non-citizens.
And nowhere in Switzerland are foreigners permitted to vote on federal level.
