A constitutional referendum was held in Switzerland in July and August 1848, the first referendum on record in the Swiss Confederation.Dieter Nohlen & Philip Stöver (2010) Elections in Europe: A data handbook, p1901 The new constitution was approved by 72.8% of voters and a majority of cantons.
Background In order to pass, any amendments to the constitution needed a double majority; a majority of the popular vote and majority of the cantons.Nohlen & Stöver, p1891 The decision of each canton was based on the vote in that canton. Full cantons counted as one vote, whilst half cantons counted as half.
Results ChoicePopular voteCantonsVotes%FullHalfTotalFor145,58472.814315.5Against54,32027.2536.5Invalid/blank votes ––––Total199,90410019622Source: Nohlen & Stöver
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