# 1866 Swiss referendum

A nine-part referendum was held in Switzerland on 14 January 1866. Only two proposals received a majority of votes in favour, and only one had both a majority of votes and majority of cantons.

## Background

In order to pass, the referendums needed a double majority; a majority of the popular vote and majority of the cantons. 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
### Question I – weights and measures

| Choice | Popular vote | Popular vote | Cantons | Cantons | Cantons |
| Choice | Votes | % | Full | Half | Total |
| For | 159,182 | 50.4 | 8 | 3 | 9.5 |
| Against | 156,396 | 49.6 | 11 | 3 | 12.5 |
| Invalid/blank votes | | – | – | – | – |
| Total | 315,578 | 100 | 19 | 6 | 22 |
| Source: Nohlen & Stöver ||||||

### Question II – equality of rights to settlement for Jews and naturalised people

| Choice | Popular vote | Popular vote | Cantons | Cantons | Cantons |
| Choice | Votes | % | Full | Half | Total |
| For | 170,032 | 53.2 | 11 | 3 | 12.5 |
| Against | 149,401 | 46.8 | 8 | 3 | 9.5 |
| Invalid/blank votes | | – | – | – | – |
| Total | 319,433 | 100 | 19 | 6 | 22 |
| Source: Nohlen & Stöver ||||||

### Question III – local suffrage for settled people

| Choice | Popular vote | Popular vote | Cantons | Cantons | Cantons |
| Choice | Votes | % | Full | Half | Total |
| For | 137,321 | 43.1 | 7 | 2 | 8 |
| Against | 181,441 | 56.9 | 12 | 4 | 14 |
| Invalid/blank votes | | – | – | – | – |
| Total | 318,762 | 100 | 19 | 6 | 22 |
| Source: Nohlen & Stöver ||||||

### Question IV – taxation and civil rights of settled people

| Choice | Popular vote | Popular vote | Cantons | Cantons | Cantons |
| Choice | Votes | % | Full | Half | Total |
| For | 125,924 | 39.9 | 8 | 2 | 9 |
| Against | 189,830 | 60.1 | 11 | 4 | 13 |
| Invalid/blank votes | | – | – | – | – |
| Total | 315,754 | 100 | 19 | 6 | 22 |
| Source: Nohlen & Stöver ||||||

### Question V – cantonal suffrage for settled people

| Choice | Popular vote | Popular vote | Cantons | Cantons | Cantons |
| Choice | Votes | % | Full | Half | Total |
| For | 153,469 | 48.1 | 9 | 2 | 10 |
| Against | 165,679 | 51.9 | 10 | 4 | 12 |
| Invalid/blank votes | | – | – | – | – |
| Total | 319,148 | 100 | 19 | 6 | 22 |
| Source: Nohlen & Stöver ||||||

### Question VI – religious and cultural freedom

| Choice | Popular vote | Popular vote | Cantons | Cantons | Cantons |
| Choice | Votes | % | Full | Half | Total |
| For | 157,629 | 49.2 | 10 | 2 | 11 |
| Against | 162,992 | 50.8 | 9 | 4 | 11 |
| Invalid/blank votes | | – | – | – | – |
| Total | 320,621 | 100 | 19 | 6 | 22 |
| Source: Nohlen & Stöver ||||||

### Question VII – criminal law

| Choice | Popular vote | Popular vote | Cantons | Cantons | Cantons |
| Choice | Votes | % | Full | Half | Total |
| For | 108,364 | 34.2 | 6 | 1 | 6.5 |
| Against | 208,619 | 65.8 | 13 | 5 | 15.5 |
| Invalid/blank votes | | – | – | – | – |
| Total | 316,983 | 100 | 19 | 6 | 22 |
| Source: Nohlen & Stöver ||||||

### Question VIII – copyright law

| Choice | Popular vote | Popular vote | Cantons | Cantons | Cantons |
| Choice | Votes | % | Full | Half | Total |
| For | 137,476 | 43.7 | 8 | 3 | 9.5 |
| Against | 177,386 | 56.3 | 11 | 3 | 12.5 |
| Invalid/blank votes | | – | – | – | – |
| Total | 314,862 | 100 | 19 | 6 | 22 |
| Source: Nohlen & Stöver ||||||

### Question IX – prohibition of gambling and lotteries

| Choice | Popular vote | Popular vote | Cantons | Cantons | Cantons |
| Choice | Votes | % | Full | Half | Total |
| For | 139,062 | 44.0 | 8 | 3 | 9.5 |
| Against | 176,788 | 56.0 | 11 | 3 | 12.5 |
| Invalid/blank votes | | – | – | – | – |
| Total | 315,850 | 100 | 19 | 6 | 22 |
| Source: Nohlen & Stöver ||||||