SwitzerlandDemokratie und Föderalismus 39 · Democracy and federalism
Who may take part in federal votes and elections?
In the exam (German)
Wer darf bei eidgenössischen Abstimmungen und Wahlen mitmachen?
- aSwiss citizens aged 18 and overSchweizerinnen und Schweizer ab 18 JahrenCorrect answer
- bSwiss citizens aged 16 and overSchweizerinnen und Schweizer ab 16 Jahren
- cAll holders of a C settlement permitAlle Personen mit einer Niederlassungsbewilligung C
- dAll people living in Switzerland aged 18 and overAlle Personen mit Wohnsitz in der Schweiz ab 18 Jahren
Why?
Political rights at the federal level belong to Swiss citizens aged 18 and over (Art. 136 of the Federal Constitution, BV). Foreign nationals do not vote at the federal level, not even with a C settlement permit (Niederlassungsbewilligung C).
Translated with AI. In the exam the question is in German, as shown above.
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Take a free mock examDemokratie und Föderalismus 40
A Swiss woman has lived in Canada for years. May she take part in federal votes?Correct answer:Yes, if she is registered with a Swiss representation abroad and entered in the electoral register.
Eine Schweizerin wohnt seit Jahren in Kanada. Darf sie bei eidgenössischen Abstimmungen mitmachen? — Ja, wenn sie bei der Schweizer Vertretung angemeldet und im Stimmregister eingetragen ist.
Demokratie und Föderalismus 41
What is true about the right of foreign nationals to vote in Switzerland?Correct answer:They have none at the federal level; some cantons and municipalities grant it for their own level.
Was gilt für das Stimmrecht von Ausländerinnen und Ausländern in der Schweiz? — Auf Bundesebene haben sie keines; einige Kantone und Gemeinden geben es ihnen für ihre Ebene.
Demokratie und Föderalismus 42
What is the difference between "electing" (wählen) and "voting" (abstimmen)?Correct answer:You elect people to an office; you vote on issues such as laws.
Was ist der Unterschied zwischen «wählen» und «abstimmen»? — Man wählt Personen in ein Amt; man stimmt über Sachfragen wie Gesetze ab.
Demokratie und Föderalismus 43
What is the "Parole" of a political party?Correct answer:Its recommendation on how to vote in a popular vote
Was ist die «Parole» einer politischen Partei? — Ihre Empfehlung, wie man bei einer Abstimmung stimmen soll
Source
Our own practice questions on the facts of the Federal Constitution and the official information of the Confederation and the cantons of Zurich, Aargau and Bern. They are not the questions of the cantonal tests, and no wording from the cantonal question catalogues has been reused. Each question was written, answered blind and fact-checked in separate rounds. The English translation and the explanations are ours, made with AI; in the test the questions are in German. We are not affiliated with the Confederation, the cantons or the communes.
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