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Easy answers about life in Switzerland
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  • Procedures for the election of the National Council
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  • Procedures for the election of the National Council

Procedures for the election of the National Council

In most cantons, members of the National Council are elected by proportional representation. Cantons with only one seat in the National Council conduct their elections using the majority system. This page provides more detailed information.

Good to know

For the election of the National Council, Swiss citizens abroad have the same voting channels and are subject to the same rules as their fellow citizens in Switzerland. However, they must first complete the formalities for exercising the right to vote abroad.
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In most cantons, voters elect representatives to the National Council by proportional representation. This means that the mandates are first divided between the lists according to the number of votes obtained, and then allocated to the people with the highest number of votes on the list.
Find out how to vote in the following cantons: ZH, BE, LU, SZ, ZG, FR, SO, BS, BL, SH, SG, GR, AG, TG, TI, VD, VS, NE, GE and JU.
In the cantons of Obwalden and Nidwalden, voters elect representatives to the National Council using the simple majority system. This means that the candidate with the highest number of votes is elected. If only one valid candidate is submitted within the deadline (by noon on 4 September 2023), that candidate is tacitly elected without a popular vote.
Find out how to vote in the cantons of Obwalden and Nidwalden.
In the cantons of Uri, Glarus, Appenzell Ausserrhoden and Appenzell Innerrhoden, voters elect representatives to the National Council using the simple majority system. This means that the candidate with the highest number of votes is elected.
Find out how to vote in the cantons of UR, GL, AR and AI.
  • ch.ch gives you an overview of the candidates.

  • To find out how many representatives represent your canton in the National Council, have a look at the page number of seats in Parliament.

  • ch.ch provides detailed information about the Swiss Parliament.

  • ch.ch explains how the Council of States is elected.

  • ch.ch. has a page on voting material.

  • If you are planning to travel during the election period, have a look at the page not at home but still able to vote.

  • ch.ch provides the lowdown on transparency of political funding in Switzerland.

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