Two referendums were held in Switzerland in 1959.Nohlen, D & Stöver, P (2010) Elections in Europe: A data handbook, p1917 The first was held on 1 February on the introduction of women's suffrage at the federal level, but was rejected by 67% of voters. The second was held on 24 May on adding article 22bis to the federal constitution, which concerned civil protection. It was approved by 62% of voters.
Results
February: Women's suffrage
ChoicePopular voteCantonsVotes%FullHalfTotalFor323,72733.1303Against654,93966.916619Blank votes7,497––––Invalid votes1,680––––Total987,84310019622Registered voters/turnout1,480,55566.7–––Source: Nohlen & Stöver By canton CantonFor%Against%TurnoutZurich71,85936.20126,67063.8077.12Bern55,78635.46101,54364.5462.17Lucerne10,29421.3437,93478.6669.87Uri88514.585,18385.4271.17Schwyz1,96814.2311,86085.7765.58Obwalden56514.343,37685.6662.64Nidwalden80719.503,33180.5071.75Glarus1,45519.116,15980.8970.74Zug2,04624.266,38775.7465.03Fribourg7,98529.8318,78070.1758.72Solothurn11,44730.0126,69269.9970.24Basel-Stadt17,01346.7619,37253.2454.35Basel-Landschaft8,89637.2814,96962.7263.14Schaffhausen4,78231.8910,21268.1186.63Appenzell Ausserrhoden1,51715.488,28484.5273.35Appenzell Innerrhoden1054.872,05095.1360.31St. Gallen12,43619.3351,91280.6774.98Grisons5,63322.3619,56277.6467.83Aargau17,91922.7660,82577.2484.91Thurgau6,72119.9426,98680.0678.63Ticino10,73837.0818,21862.9256.81Vaud32,92951.3031,25448.7054.39Valais8,24230.5218,75969.4855.43Neuchâtel13,93852.1812,77547.8264.41Geneva17,76159.9911,84640.0145.01Source: Swissvotes
May: Constitutional amendment ChoicePopular voteCantonsVotes%FullHalfTotalFor380,63162.319622Against230,70137.7000Blank votes21,623––––Invalid votes1,189––––Total634,14410019622Registered voters/turnout1,479,56642.9–––Source: Nohlen & Stöver
See also Women's suffrage in Switzerland 1971 Swiss referendums, when women's suffrage was approved
References