SwitzerlandDémocratie et fédéralisme 39 · Democracy and federalism
Who can take part in federal votes and elections?
In the exam (French)
Qui peut participer aux votations et aux élections fédérales ?
- aAll holders of a C settlement permitToutes les personnes titulaires d'un permis d'établissement C
- bSwiss women and men aged 18 and overLes Suissesses et les Suisses dès 18 ansCorrect answer
- cSwiss women and men aged 16 and overLes Suissesses et les Suisses dès 16 ans
- dAll people living in Switzerland aged 18 and overToutes les personnes domiciliées en Suisse dès 18 ans
Why?
Political rights at federal level belong to Swiss citizens aged 18 and over (Art. 136 of the Federal Constitution). Foreign nationals do not vote at federal level, even with a C permit (permis d'établissement C).
Translated with AI. In the exam the question is in French, as shown above.
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Take a free mock examDémocratie et fédéralisme 40
A Swiss woman has lived in Canada for years. Can she take part in federal votes?Correct answer:Yes, if she is registered with a Swiss representation abroad and on the electoral register.
Une Suissesse vit au Canada depuis des années. Peut-elle participer aux votations fédérales ? — Oui, si elle est immatriculée auprès d'une représentation suisse et inscrite au registre électoral.
Démocratie et fédéralisme 41
What about the right of foreign nationals to vote in Switzerland?Correct answer:Not at federal level; some cantons and municipalities grant it to them at their own level.
Qu'en est-il du droit de vote des personnes étrangères en Suisse ? — Pas au niveau fédéral ; certains cantons et communes le leur accordent pour leur niveau.
Démocratie et fédéralisme 42
What is the difference between an election (élection) and a vote on an issue (votation)?Correct answer:An election chooses people; a vote decides a question, such as a law.
Quelle est la différence entre une élection et une votation ? — Une élection désigne des personnes ; une votation tranche une question, comme une loi.
Démocratie et fédéralisme 43
What is a political party's “mot d'ordre” (literally “watchword”)?Correct answer:Its recommendation on how to vote in a vote on an issue
Qu'est-ce que le « mot d'ordre » d'un parti politique ? — Sa recommandation sur la façon de voter lors d'une votation
Source
Our own practice questions, written in French on the facts of the Federal Constitution and official information from the Confederation and the cantons of Vaud and Geneva. They are not the questions of the cantonal tests, and no text from the official cantonal or communal lists is reused. Each question was written, answered blind and fact-checked in separate rounds. The English translation and the explanations are ours, made with AI help; in the test the questions are asked in French. We are not affiliated with the Confederation, the cantons or the communes.
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