Canton Fribourg wants more expats to vote in local elections

Fribourg, a canton in western Switzerland, has launched a campaign to increase expat voter turnout ahead of local elections taking place in March 2026.

Canton Fribourg wants its 40.000 expat residents to use their vote

Canton Fribourg, along with the Fribourg Association of Municipalities (FGV), has launched a campaign called “Your Vote Counts”, which aims to increase voter turnout ahead of local elections in 2026. The campaign targets 40.000 internationals who live in the canton and are eligible to vote in local elections. There is no mention of how many international voters turned up to vote in previous elections.

Municipal elections will take place in Fribourg in two rounds on March 8 and 29, 2026. International residents are eligible to vote and stand in local elections if they hold a C permit, are at least 18 years old, and have lived in Canton Fribourg for at least five years.

Local elections (Gemeindewahlen) elect local councils (Gemeinde) across Switzerland. The elected bodies are usually made up of five to nine members and are in office for five-year terms. Local councils are responsible for local matters such as public transport, utilities, emergency services and Swiss passports.

Your Vote Counts campaign wants expats to use their voice

The “Your Vote Counts” campaign by Canton Fribourg wants to promote “social cohesion”, said Patrice Borcard, President of the Integration of Migrants and the Prevention of Racism (KMR), in a cantonal press release. Democracy “thrives on the diversity of voices”, Borcard continues, encouraging people to have a say on local decisions that affect their lives.

The campaign will provide free informational and promotional materials for communities, organisations, the media and political parties to use to “inform and mobilise” potential voters. The materials, which can be found here, include a video explaining how to vote, presentations on the Swiss political system, posters and testimonial videos. 

Fribourg is paving the way for other cantons to encourage expat voter turnout

Fribourg is turning into a "pioneering canton in Switzerland", writes the press release, because it is encouraging voter turnout among expats and internationals. Non-Swiss citizens who hold permanent residency can only vote in local elections in Geneva, Vaud, Fribourg, Neuchâtel, Jura and some parts of Graubünden.

In 2022, the National Council rejected two plans to give expats the right to vote and stand in Swiss elections. The National Council concluded that expats should take the time to gain citizenship before entering politics.