DON’T MISS
IamExpat Job BoardIamExpat HousingIamExpat Webinars
Newsletters
EXPAT INFO
CAREER
HOUSING
EDUCATION
LIFESTYLE
EXPAT SERVICES
NEWS & ARTICLES
Home
Expat Info
Swiss news & articles
Canton Solothurn rejects local referendum to give expats the vote
Never miss a thing!Sign up for our weekly newsletters with important news stories, expat events and special offers.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy

Canton Solothurn rejects local referendum to give expats the vote

Never miss a thing!Sign up for our weekly newsletters with important news stories, expat events and special offers.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy
or
follow us for regular updates:



Related Stories

Vaud moves to halve the residence requirements for expats to voteVaud moves to halve the residence requirements for expats to vote
Switzerland to enshrine the franc in the constitutionSwitzerland to enshrine the franc in the constitution
Could tips soon be taxed in Switzerland?Could tips soon be taxed in Switzerland?
Swiss firms shouldn't be required to pay a liveable wage, says employer group headSwiss firms shouldn't be required to pay a liveable wage, says employer group head
New motion pushes Swiss ministers to ditch EnglishNew motion pushes Swiss ministers to ditch English
Switzerland mulls 50 percent public transport discount for allSwitzerland mulls 50 percent public transport discount for all
Switzerland debates ban on overcharging expats for car insuranceSwitzerland debates ban on overcharging expats for car insurance
June 2025 in Switzerland: 10 key things expats need to knowJune 2025 in Switzerland: 10 key things expats need to know
For expats of all colours, shapes and sizes

Explore
Expat infoCareerHousingEducationLifestyleExpat servicesNews & articles
About us
IamExpat MediaAdvertisePost a jobContact usSitemap
More IamExpat
IamExpat Job BoardIamExpat HousingWebinarsNewsletters
Privacy
Terms of usePrivacy policyCookiesAvoiding scams

Never miss a thing!Sign up for expat events, news & offers, delivered once a week.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy


© 2025 IamExpat Media B.V.
© 2025 IamExpat Media B.V.
Sep 28, 2021
Jan de Boer

Editor at IamExpat Media

Jan studied History at the University of York and Broadcast Journalism at the University of Sheffield. Though born in York, Jan has lived most of his life in Zurich and has worked as a journalist, writer and editor since 2016. While he has plunged head-first back into life in Switzerland since returning to the country in 2020, he still enjoys a taste of home at pub quizzes and karaoke nights.Read more

The people of Solothurn have rejected an initiative that would have given Swiss expats the right to vote in certain elections and referendums in the canton. This is in spite of a full endorsement by the cantonal government and Young Socialists Switzerland (JUSO).

Solothurn rejects voting rights for resident expats

The result showed that 73,2 percent of voters rejected the initiative to give holders of a permanent residence permit the right to vote in local and cantonal elections. The vote garnered 23.473 votes in favour to 63.201 votes against, a majority of 39.728.

Advocates of the vote said during the campaign that it was unfair that such a significant proportion of the population were unable to vote. Data from the Federal Statistical Office say around 18,7 percent of the canton’s population are non-Swiss residents. They noted that in other cantons, this rate can rise to around a quarter of the total population, and in some neighbourhoods, the majority of the population may be non-Swiss.

Eight cantons in Switzerland have given expats the vote 

Eight of the 26 cantons in Switzerland have given internationals some voting rights. Particularly in French-speaking parts of Switzerland like Vaud and the city of Geneva, voting rights have been extended to accommodate the large population of disenfranchised people.

The campaign in Solothurn had the backing of Young Socialists Switzerland and the cantonal government, but failed to gain popular support. The move was opposed by some political parties in the canton, who said that expats should “first seek a Swiss passport before getting a say in local politics.”

By Jan de Boer