Twelve referendums were held in Switzerland in 1985.[1] The first four were held on 10 March on abolishing primary school fees (approved), abolishing the government contribution to healthcare spending (approved), a federal resolution on education fees (rejected) and a popular initiative on extending paid leave (rejected).[1] The next set of four was held on 9 June on the "right to life" popular initiative (rejected), abolishing the cantonal share of profits from banks' stamp duty (approved), a federal resolution on the taxation raised from the sale of spirits (approved), and the abolition of grants for the self-supply of breadstuffs (approved).[2]
A further three referendums were held on 22 September on a popular initiative to co-ordinate the start of the school year (approved), a federal resolution on giving small and medium enterprises an advantage in cases on innovations (rejected), and amendments to the Swiss Civil Code (approved).[2] The final referendum was held on 1 December on a popular initiative to ban vivisection, which was rejected.[2]
Results
March: Abolition of primary school fees
Choice
Popular vote
Cantons
Votes
%
Full
Half
Total
For
802,882
58.5
15
6
18
Against
570,221
41.5
5
0
5
Blank votes
46,403
–
–
–
–
Invalid votes
1,932
–
–
–
–
Total
1,421,438
100
20
6
23
Registered voters/turnout
4,134,052
34.4
–
–
–
Source: Nohlen & Stöver
March: Healthcare
Choice
Popular vote
Cantons
Votes
%
Full
Half
Total
For
726,781
53.0
10
6
13
Against
644,649
47.0
10
0
10
Blank votes
48,766
–
–
–
–
Invalid votes
1,951
–
–
–
–
Total
1,422,147
100
20
6
23
Registered voters/turnout
4,134,052
34.4
–
–
–
Source: Nohlen & Stöver
March: Education fees
Choice
Popular vote
Cantons
Votes
%
Full
Half
Total
For
651,854
47.6
7
3
8.5
Against
716,717
52.4
13
3
14.5
Blank votes
51,614
–
–
–
–
Invalid votes
2,020
–
–
–
–
Total
1,422,205
100
20
6
23
Registered voters/turnout
4,134,052
34.4
–
–
–
Source: Nohlen & Stöver
March: Extending paid leave
Choice
Popular vote
Cantons
Votes
%
Full
Half
Total
For
489,995
34.8
2
0
2
Against
918,685
65.2
18
6
21
Blank votes
19,961
–
–
–
–
Invalid votes
1,729
–
–
–
–
Total
1,430,370
100
20
6
23
Registered voters/turnout
4,134,052
34.6
–
–
–
Source: Nohlen & Stöver
June: Right to life
Choice
Popular vote
Cantons
Votes
%
Full
Half
Total
For
448,016
31.0
4
3
5.5
Against
999,077
69.0
16
3
17.5
Blank votes
31,856
–
–
–
–
Invalid votes
1,523
–
–
–
–
Total
1,480,472
100
20
6
23
Registered voters/turnout
4,144,312
35.7
–
–
–
Source: Nohlen & Stöver
June: Stamp duty for banks
Choice
Popular vote
Cantons
Votes
%
Full
Half
Total
For
903,345
66.5
19
6
22
Against
454,560
33.5
1
0
1
Blank votes
100,995
–
–
–
–
Invalid votes
1,794
–
–
–
–
Total
1,460,694
100
20
6
23
Registered voters/turnout
4,144,312
35.2
–
–
–
Source: Nohlen & Stöver
June: Tax on spirits
Choice
Popular vote
Cantons
Votes
%
Full
Half
Total
For
982,318
72.3
19
6
22
Against
376,135
27.7
1
0
1
Blank votes
100,479
–
–
–
–
Invalid votes
1,839
–
–
–
–
Total
1,460,771
100
20
6
23
Registered voters/turnout
4,144,312
35.2
–
–
–
Source: Nohlen & Stöver
June: Breadstuffs
Choice
Popular vote
Cantons
Votes
%
Full
Half
Total
For
787,156
57.0
16
5
18.5
Against
592,751
43.0
4
1
4.5
Blank votes
82,030
–
–
–
–
Invalid votes
1,697
–
–
–
–
Total
1,463,634
100
20
6
23
Registered voters/turnout
4,144,312
35.3
–
–
–
Source: Nohlen & Stöver
September: Co-ordinating the start of the School year
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