1973 Swiss referendums

Eight referendums were held in Switzerland in 1973.^[1] The first two were held on 4 March on amendments to the Swiss Federal Constitution on education and promoting research. Whilst the education proposal was approved by a majority of voters, it failed to receive the support of a majority of cantons. The research proposal was approved by both.^[1] The third referendum was held on 20 May on another constitutional amendment, removing articles 51 and 52 regarding Jesuits and cloisters, and was approved.^[1]

The final five referendums were held on 2 December on price controls, the credit system, measures to stabilise the construction market, a reversal of the income tax write-off and a constitutional amendment regarding the protection of animals, all of which were approved.^[1]

Results

4 March: Constitutional amendment on education

Choice	Popular vote		Cantons
	Votes	%	Full	Half	Total
For	507,414	52.8	9	3	10.5
Against	454,428	47.2	10	3	11.5
Blank votes	35,349	–	–	–	–
Invalid votes	2,111	–	–	–	–
Total	999,302	100	19	6	22
Registered voters/turnout	3,633,517	27.5	–	–	–
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

4 March: Constitutional amendment on promoting research

Choice	Popular vote		Cantons
	Votes	%	Full	Half	Total
For	617,628	64.5	17	4	19
Against	339,857	35.5	2	2	3
Blank votes	39,922	–	–	–	–
Invalid votes	2,090	–	–	–	–
Total	999,497	100	19	6	22
Registered voters/turnout	3,633,517	27.5	–	–	–
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

20 May: Constitutional amendment on Jesuits and cloisters

Choice	Popular vote		Cantons
	Votes	%	Full	Half	Total
For	791,076	54.9	14	5	16.5
Against	648,924	45.1	5	1	5.5
Blank votes	25,051	–	–	–	–
Invalid votes	2,443	–	–	–	–
Total	1,467,494	100	19	6	22
Registered voters/turnout	3,642,756	40.3	–	–	–
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

2 December: Price controls

Choice	Popular vote		Cantons
	Votes	%	Full	Half	Total
For	751,173	59.8	17	6	20
Against	505,843	40.2	2	0	2
Blank votes	25,082	–	–	–	–
Invalid votes	1,701	–	–	–	–
Total	1,283,799	100	19	6	22
Registered voters/turnout	3,665,107	35.0	–	–	–
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

2 December: Credit system

Choice	Votes	%
For	810,307	65.1
Against	434,045	34.9
Blank votes	36,398	–
Invalid votes	1,811	–
Total	1,282,565	100
Registered voters/turnout	3,655,107	35.0
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

2 December: Construction market

Choice	Popular vote		Cantons
	Votes	%	Full	Half	Total
For	881,662	70.4	17	6	20
Against	370,843	29.6	2	0	2
Blank votes	28,991	–	–	–	–
Invalid votes	1,745	–	–	–	–
Total	1,283,243	100	19	6	22
Registered voters/turnout	3,665,107	35.0	–	–	–
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

2 December: Income tax write-off

Choice	Popular vote		Cantons
	Votes	%	Full	Half	Total
For	834,792	68.0	17	5	19.5
Against	391,956	32.0	2	1	2.5
Blank votes	52,321	–	–	–	–
Invalid votes	1,918	–	–	–	–
Total	1,280,985	100	19	6	22
Registered voters/turnout	3,665,107	35.0	–	–	–
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

2 December: Constitutional amendment on animal protection

Choice	Popular vote		Cantons
	Votes	%	Full	Half	Total
For	1,041,504	84.0	19	6	22
Against	199,090	16.0	0	0	0
Blank votes	39,855	–	–	–	–
Invalid votes	1,959	–	–	–	–
Total	1,282,410	100	19	6	22
Registered voters/turnout	3,665,107	35.0	–	–	–
Source: Nohlen & Stöver