1959 Swiss referendums

Two referendums were held in Switzerland in 1959. 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

Choice	Popular vote	Cantons	Votes	%	Full	Half	Total
For	323,727	33.1	3	0	3
Against	654,939	66.9	16	6	19
Blank votes	7,497	–	–	–	–
Invalid votes	1,680	–	–	–	–
**Total**	**987,843**	**100**	**19**	**6**	**22**
Registered voters/turnout	1,480,555	66.7	–	–	–
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

By canton

Canton	For	%	Against	%	Turnout
Zurich	71,859	36.20	**126,670**	**63.80**	77.12
Bern	55,786	35.46	**101,543**	**64.54**	62.17
Lucerne	10,294	21.34	**37,934**	**78.66**	69.87
Uri	885	14.58	**5,183**	**85.42**	71.17
Schwyz	1,968	14.23	**11,860**	**85.77**	65.58
Obwalden	565	14.34	**3,376**	**85.66**	62.64
Nidwalden	807	19.50	**3,331**	**80.50**	71.75
Glarus	1,455	19.11	**6,159**	**80.89**	70.74
Zug	2,046	24.26	**6,387**	**75.74**	65.03
Fribourg	7,985	29.83	**18,780**	**70.17**	58.72
Solothurn	11,447	30.01	**26,692**	**69.99**	70.24
Basel-Stadt	17,013	46.76	**19,372**	**53.24**	54.35
Basel-Landschaft	8,896	37.28	**14,969**	**62.72**	63.14
Schaffhausen	4,782	31.89	**10,212**	**68.11**	86.63
Appenzell Ausserrhoden	1,517	15.48	**8,284**	**84.52**	73.35
Appenzell Innerrhoden	105	4.87	**2,050**	**95.13**	60.31
St. Gallen	12,436	19.33	**51,912**	**80.67**	74.98
Grisons	5,633	22.36	**19,562**	**77.64**	67.83
Aargau	17,919	22.76	**60,825**	**77.24**	84.91
Thurgau	6,721	19.94	**26,986**	**80.06**	78.63
Ticino	10,738	37.08	**18,218**	**62.92**	56.81
Vaud	**32,929**	**51.30**	31,254	48.70	54.39
Valais	8,242	30.52	**18,759**	**69.48**	55.43
Neuchâtel	**13,938**	**52.18**	12,775	47.82	64.41
Geneva	**17,761**	**59.99**	11,846	40.01	45.01
**Source**: [Swissvotes](https://web.archive.org/web/20240330024642/https://swissvotes.ch/attachments/d931a4fd0c6687d42fc4625d95d79b6a97c8ec80ec1ee58acc4e0a99c34c41a9)

May: Constitutional amendment

Choice	Popular vote	Cantons	Votes	%	Full	Half	Total
For	380,631	62.3	19	6	22
Against	230,701	37.7	0	0	0
Blank votes	21,623	–	–	–	–
Invalid votes	1,189	–	–	–	–
**Total**	**634,144**	**100**	**19**	**6**	**22**
Registered voters/turnout	1,479,566	42.9	–	–	–
Source: Nohlen & Stöver