At Stake in this Election:  

In June 2026, voters in Switzerland are voting on two initiatives. One is related to a population cap of 10 million and the other is related to an amendment to the Civilian Service Act to amend the procedures for Swiss citizens using the Civilian Service as a replacement for military service.  

No to a Switzerland with 10 Million! (Sustainability Initiative) 

• Referendum text in original German: Wollen Sie die Volksinitiative «Keine 10-Millionen-Schweiz! (Nachhaltigkeitsinitiative)» annehmen? 

• Referendum text in English (informal translation): Do you want to accept the popular initiative "No 10-million-strong Switzerland! (Sustainability Initiative)"? 

Amendment to the Civilian Service Act 

• Referendum text in original German: Wollen Sie die Änderung vom 26. September 2025 des Bundesgesetzes über den zivilen Ersatzdienst (Zivildienstgesetz, ZDG) annehmen? 

• Referendum text in English (informal translation): Do you want to accept the amendment of 26 September 2025 to the Federal Act on Civilian Service (Civil Service Act, ZDG)? 

Government Structure: 

• Chief of State: President Guy PARMELIN (since 1 January 2026) 

• Head of Government: President Guy PARMELIN (since 1 January 2026) 

• Assembly: bicameral Federal Assembly, comprised of the 200-seat National Council and the 46-seat Council of States. 

Electoral System:  

• 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.    

• 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.    

• 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.  

Last Election: 

The last referendum was held on March 8, 2026. Voters decided on 4 items relating to constitutional protections to ensure a continued supply of cash currency, mechanisms for financing the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation, funding allocations for climate protection, and the taxation of married couples. 

Information for Voters: 

Popular Vote on 14 June 2026 (in English) 

Country Context: 

• Population: 9,005,582 (2024 est.) 

• Registered Voters: 5,604,351 (2024) 

• V-Dem Electoral Democracy Index Score: 0.894 (2024) 

• V-Dem Regimes of the World Classification: Liberal Democracy (2024) 

• Human Development Index (HDI) Position: 0.970, Very high, Rank 2 (2023) 

Gender Data: 

• Female Population: 4,531,829 (2024 est.) 

• CEDAW Status: Signed 23 January 2011, Ratified 2 December 2016 

• Gender Quota: No legislated quotas. Some parties have adopted voluntary quotas.  

• Female Candidates in this election: n/a 

• 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 

• Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) Categorization: 9.9 (2023) 

Disability Data: 

• CRPD Status: Ascended 15 April 2014 

• Projected population with a disability: 1,440,893 (2024 est.) 

IFES Resources: 

• ElectionJudgments: Yes, 2 judgments