2000 Swiss referendums


Fifteen referendums were held in Switzerland during 2000. The first five were held on 12 March on reforming the judiciary and four popular initiatives; "for speeding up direct democracy ", "for a just representation of women in federal authorities", "for the protection of men against manipulations in procreation technology" and one to reduce motorised road by 50%. Whilst the judiciary reform was approved, all four popular initiatives were rejected. The next referendum was held on 21 May to authorise sectoral agreements between Switzerland and the European Union, and was approved by around two-thirds of voters.
The next set of four referendums was held on 24 September on a tax contribution for energy efficiency, as well as three popular initiatives; one for a tax contribution for promoting solar energy, as well as initiatives "for a regulation of immigration" and "more rights for people thanks to referendums with counter-proposals". Every proposal, including the counter-proposal, was rejected by voters. The final five referendums were held on 26 November on a law on federal employees and four popular initiatives; "for a flexible retirement age for men and women from 62 years on", "economising on military and defence–for more peace and seminal jobs", "for lower hospital expenses" and one against raising the female retirement age. Whilst the federal law was approved, all four popular initiatives were rejected.

Results

EU bilateral treaty referendum results by canton

CantonYesNoElectorateVotesValid votesInvalid votes
Vaud133,33632,669366,235167,828166,0051,823
Valais49,54026,022183,53976,52275,562960
Genève94,59725,530209,614121,564120,1271,437
Bern204,88294,445675,852301,277299,3271,950
Freiburg52,53317,886157,99671,06370,419644
Solothurn53,68626,909163,51281,05580,595460
Neuchâtel42,80511,117104,57254,59353,922671
Jura17,4165,11547,92322,72722,531196
Basel-Stadt47,12818,050119,89465,69265,178514
Basel-Landschaft59,98324,583175,70085,51184,566945
Aargau93,32556,702352,338150,740150,027713
Zürich275,570118,423785,473399,856393,9935,863
Glarus6,6434,97424,55811,67411,61757
Schaffhausen18,64511,84148,13731,80730,4861,321
Appenzell Ausserrhoden11,8867,26235,62219,25719,148109
Appenzell Innerrhoden2,4212,24610,0324,6804,66713
St.Gallen79,22746,136284,281125,947125,363584
Graubünden30,17021,307127,98952,21851,477741
Thurgau36,56927,411141,61165,23763,9801,257
Luzern78,40246,745231,627126,718125,1471,571
Uri6,7306,14925,44013,15012,879271
Schwyz20,86521,06885,13343,17941,9331,246
Obwalden5,8394,67722,20610,63110,516115
Nidwalden8,1196,41526,95714,80214,534268
Zug24,19910,75264,69135,11634,951165
Ticino42,57756,546193,550100,44099,1231,317

In the referendum with a counter-proposal, voters had the option of not answering. A total of 35,657 voters did not answer the solar energy question, whilst 58,798 did not answer the counter-proposal.