1896 Swiss referendum

A three-part referendum was held in Switzerland on 4 October 1896.^[1] Voters were asked whether they approved of each of the following proposals: a federal law on guarantees in the cattle trade, a federal law on the accounting system for the railways and a federal law on the disciplinary penal code for the federal army.^[1] Whilst the law on the railways was approved, the other two were rejected by voters.^[1]

Background

The referendums were optional referendums,^[1] which required only a majority of the public vote,^[2] rather than a majority of votes and cantons.^[2]

Results

Cattle trade guarantees law

Choice	Votes	%
For	174,880	45.5
Against	209,118	54.5
Blank votes	20,483	–
Invalid votes	6,827	–
Total	411,308	100
Registered voters/turnout	714,033	57.6
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

Railways accounting law

Choice	Votes	%
For	223,228	55.8
Against	176,577	44.2
Blank votes	10,095	–
Invalid votes	3,089	–
Total	412,989	100
Registered voters/turnout	714,033	57.8
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

Military penal code law

Choice	Votes	%
For	77,169	19.9
Against	310,992	80.1
Blank votes	15,717	–
Invalid votes	7,295	–
Total	411,173	100
Registered voters/turnout	714,033	57.6
Source: Nohlen & Stöver