In the third round of four referendums scheduled for 2024 (the last one will be held on November 24th), Swiss citizens will vote on September 22nd on two issues of national importance — the second-pillar pension reform and the ‘biodiversity initiative,” both of which are explained here:

READ ALSO: What’s at stake in Switzerland’s federal referendums on September 22nd? 

In addition to these two national issues, some cantons will hold their own referendums as well.

Let’s start with Zurich

Foreigners who have been temporarily admitted to Switzerland are people whose asylum application has been rejected.

However, they can’t be deported because, for instance, there is a war in their country of origin.

In the canton of Zurich, according to current law, they can only receive training grants once they have lived in Switzerland for five years.

On Sunday, voters will have to decide on whether cantonal authorities should to do away with this waiting period.

Geneva: Teacher training

Currently, primary school teacher training in Geneva is the only one that lasts four years, compared to three years in the other cantons.

This situation has caused an ‘exodus’ of sorts: the number of Geneva teachers trained in the neighbouring canton of Vaud has increased sevenfold in 10 years; in fact, 40 percent of teachers hired for Geneva schools received their diploma in Vaud. 

Voters will have to weigh in on whether Geneva should align the duration of its training with other cantons.

Lucerne: Taxes

The revision of the tax law is intended to maintain the canton’s fiscal attractiveness.

Lucerne is continuing its previous financial and tax policy to position itself favourably vis-à-vis other cantons.

The focus of the tax law revision is a series of measures from which all taxpayers — individuals, families, and businesses — will benefit equally, for instance, by implementing new social and higher child deductions.

This move is aimed at relieving the burden on low-income residents. 

The goal of this reform, on which the people will vote, is to prevent companies from moving out of the canton of Lucerne, while attracting new ones to move in.

Fribourg: Supplementary benefits

Fribourg voters are called upon to decide on the bill concerning supplementary benefits for families.

This law aims to support low-income households by offering a series of benefits to promote financial, social, and professional independence..

If accepted, the new policy will complement the system already in place, by supporting the approximately 1,500 families particularly affected by poverty in the canton.

Bern / Jura: Terms of the transfer of Moutier

On March 28th, 2021, the voters of the Bern town of Moutier voted in favour of their municipality switching to the canton of Jura.

The cantons of Bern and Jura regulate this change in an agreement called  ‘concordat.’

On September 22nd, the voters of the two cantons will decide on this concordat, setting out the terms for the change in Moutier’s cantonal affiliation.

Basel-Country: Health Act

Citizens will vote on a partial revision of the Health Act, which concerns the authorisation of service providers to work at the expense of compulsory health insurance (KVC/LaMal) — specifically concerning outpatients.

The outpatient authorisation control for doctors is a mandate based on a federal law.

For the corresponding measure in Basel-Country from July 1st, 2025, it is necessary to create a legal basis, hence the vote.