# 1958 Swiss referendums

Seven referendums were held in Switzerland during 1958. The first was held on 26 January on a popular initiative "against the abuse of economic power", concerning unfair competition, and was rejected by voters. The second was held on 11 May on the federal budget, and was approved by voters. The third and fourth were held on 6 July on introducing a new section 27ter to the constitution concerning films, and a petition to improve the road network, both of which were approved. The fifth referendum was held on 26 October on instituting a 44-hour working week, and was rejected by voters. The final two were held on 7 December on a constitutional amendment on gambling and approving a treaty with Italy on a hydroelectric power scheme on the River Spöl, with both approved.

## Results
### January: Unfair competition

| Choice | Popular vote | Popular vote | Cantons | Cantons | Cantons |
| Choice | Votes | % | Full | Half | Total |
| For | 197,297 | 25.9 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Against | 550,322 | 74.1 | 19 | 6 | 22 |
| Blank votes | 17,409 | – | – | – | – |
| Invalid votes | 1,365 | – | – | – | – |
| Total | 761,393 | 100 | 19 | 6 | 22 |
| Registered voters/turnout | 1,469,853 | 51.8 | – | – | – |
| Source: Nohlen & Stöver ||||||

### May: Federal budget

| Choice | Popular vote | Popular vote | Cantons | Cantons | Cantons |
| Choice | Votes | % | Full | Half | Total |
| For | 419,265 | 54.6 | 15 | 5 | 17.5 |
| Against | 348,905 | 45.4 | 4 | 1 | 4.5 |
| Blank votes | 13,480 | – | – | – | – |
| Invalid votes | 1,292 | – | – | – | – |
| Total | 782,942 | 100 | 19 | 6 | 22 |
| Registered voters/turnout | 1,471,221 | 53.2 | – | – | – |
| Source: Nohlen & Stöver ||||||

### July: Constitutional amendment on films

| Choice | Popular vote | Popular vote | Cantons | Cantons | Cantons |
| Choice | Votes | % | Full | Half | Total |
| For | 362,806 | 61.3 | 18 | 5 | 20.5 |
| Against | 229,433 | 38.7 | 1 | 1 | 1.5 |
| Blank votes | 30,285 | – | – | – | – |
| Invalid votes | 1,039 | – | – | – | – |
| Total | 623,563 | 100 | 19 | 6 | 22 |
| Registered voters/turnout | 1,472,828 | 42.3 | – | – | – |
| Source: Nohlen & Stöver ||||||

### July: Road network improvements

| Choice | Popular vote | Popular vote | Cantons | Cantons | Cantons |
| Choice | Votes | % | Full | Half | Total |
| For | 515,396 | 85.0 | 18 | 6 | 21 |
| Against | 91,238 | 15.0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Blank votes | 17,024 | – | – | – | – |
| Invalid votes | 935 | – | – | – | – |
| Total | 624,593 | 100 | 19 | 6 | 22 |
| Registered voters/turnout | 1,472,828 | 42.4 | – | – | – |
| Source: Nohlen & Stöver ||||||

### October: 44-hour working week

| Choice | Popular vote | Popular vote | Cantons | Cantons | Cantons |
| Choice | Votes | % | Full | Half | Total |
| For | 315,790 | 35.0 | 0 | 1 | 0.5 |
| Against | 586,818 | 65.0 | 19 | 5 | 21.5 |
| Blank votes | 9,112 | – | – | – | – |
| Invalid votes | 1,613 | – | – | – | – |
| Total | 913,333 | 100 | 19 | 6 | 22 |
| Registered voters/turnout | 1,476,963 | 61.8 | – | – | – |
| Source: Nohlen & Stöver ||||||

### December: Constitutional amendment on gambling

| Choice | Popular vote | Popular vote | Cantons | Cantons | Cantons |
| Choice | Votes | % | Full | Half | Total |
| For | 392,620 | 59.9 | 18 | 5 | 20.5 |
| Against | 262,905 | 40.1 | 1 | 1 | 1.5 |
| Blank votes | 26,268 | – | – | – | – |
| Invalid votes | 1,143 | – | – | – | – |
| Total | 682,936 | 100 | 19 | 6 | 22 |
| Registered voters/turnout | 1,477,043 | 46.2 | – | – | – |
| Source: Nohlen & Stöver ||||||

### December: Hydroelectric power treaty with Italy

| Choice | Votes | % |
| For | 501,170 | 75.2 |
| Against | 165,473 | 24.8 |
| Blank votes | 17,612 | – |
| Invalid votes | 1,178 | – |
| Total | 685,433 | 100 |
| Registered voters/turnout | 1,477,043 | 46.4 |
| Source: Nohlen & Stöver |||