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Easy answers about life in Switzerland
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  • Votes and elections
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  • Popular majority and majority of the cantons
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  • Votes and elections
  • Votes
  • Popular majority and majority of the cantons

Popular majority and majority of the cantons

A proposal submitted to the vote of the People is adopted if it receives more yes votes than no votes. In the case of constitutional amendments, the majority of the cantons must also vote in favour.

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A popular majority is sufficient for a vote on a law or on certain international treaties, which are adopted if the majority of voters vote yes.
Most international treaties only require a popular majority. But the decision to amend the constitution or join a supranational community requires a so-called double majority. Such a proposal is accepted only if both the majority of voters (popular majority) as well as the majority of cantons say yes.
To determine the majority of cantons, each canton provides a Yes or No vote based on its individual voting results. If the majority of voters in a canton voted Yes, the popular vote of that canton counts as a Yes. A cantonal majority means that a majority of the cantons voted Yes. The votes of the former half-cantons of Obwalden, Nidwalden, Basel-Stadt, Basel-Landschaft, Appenzell Ausserrhoden and Appenzell Innerrhoden each count as half a vote.
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A service of the Confederation, cantons and communes

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