General Information
At Stake in this Election:
In September 2026, voters in Switzerland are voting on two initiatives. One is related to Switzerland’s policy of neutrality, and whether it should be enshrined in the Constitution. The other is related to domestic food production.
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Referendum text in original German: Wollen Sie die Volksinitiative «Wahrung der schweizerischen Neutralität (Neutralitätsinitiative)» annehmen?
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Referendum text in English (informal translation): Do you want to accept the popular initiative "Preservation of Swiss neutrality (Neutrality Initiative)"?
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Referendum text in original German: Wollen Sie die Volksinitiative «Für eine sichere Ernährung – durch Stärkung einer nachhaltigen inländischen Produktion, mehr pflanzliche Lebensmittel und sauberes Trinkwasser (Ernährungsinitiative)» annehmen?
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Referendum text in English Do you want to accept the popular initiative "For a secure food supply – by strengthening sustainable domestic production, more plant-based foods and clean drinking water (Food Initiative)"?
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Chief of State: President Guy PARMELIN (since 1 January 2026)
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Head of Government: President Guy PARMELIN (since 1 January 2026)
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Assembly: bicameral Federal Assembly, comprised of the 200-seat National Council and the 46-seat Council of States.
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The President is elected by the Council of States and must be a member of the Council of States. The President serves a 1-year term and cannot serve in consecutive years.
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Members of the National Council are directly elected via a proportional representation system. Each Canton is guaranteed at least one seat. Members serve 4-year terms.
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Members of the Council of States are directly elected by the Cantons. Each Canton determines its own electoral procedure for the seat. All Cantons are allocated two representatives, except for Obwalden, Nidwalden, Basel-Stadt, Basel-Landschaft, Appenzell Ausserrhoden and Appenzell Innerrhoden, which are allocated one. Members serve 4-year terms.
The last referendum was held on June 14. Voters decided on 2 items relating to a proposed population cap, and a potential amendment to the Civilian Services Act.
Information for Voters:
Volksabstimmung vom 27 September 2026 / Referendum on 27 September 2026 (in German)
Country Context:
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Population: 9,005,582 (2024 est.)
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Registered Voters: 5,604,351 (2024)
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V-Dem Electoral Democracy Index Score: 0.894 (2024)
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V-Dem Regimes of the World Classification: Liberal Democracy (2024)
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Human Development Index (HDI) Position: 0.970, Very high, Rank 2 (2023)
Gender Data:
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Female Population: 4,531,829 (2024 est.)
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CEDAW Status: Signed 23 January 2011, Ratified 2 December 2016
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Gender Quota: No legislated quotas. Some parties have adopted voluntary quotas.
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Female Candidates in this election: n/a
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Number of Female Legislators (pre-election): 15 out of 46 (33%) in the upper house and 79 out of 199 (40%) in the lower house
Disability Data:
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CRPD Status: Ascended 15 April 2014
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Projected population with a disability: 1,440,893 (2024 est.)
IFES Resources:
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ElectionJudgments: Yes, 2 judgments