Six referendums were held in Switzerland in 1979.[ 1] The first four were held on 18 February on reducing the voting age to 18 (rejected), a popular initiative "for the promotion of footpaths and hiking trails" (approved), "against advertising for addictive drugs" (rejected) and "for ensuring people's rights and the security of nuclear power installations" (rejected).[ 1]
The last two were held on 20 May on reforms to sales and direct federal taxation (rejected) and a federal resolution on the nuclear power law (approved).[ 2]
February: Reducing the voting age to 18 [ edit ] Choice Popular vote Cantons Votes % Full Half Total For 934,073 49.2 8 2 9 Against 964,749 50.8 12 4 14 Blank votes 17,641 – – – – Invalid votes 1,259 – – – – Total 1,917,722 100 20 6 23 Registered voters/turnout 3,867,603 49.6 – – – Source: Nohlen & Stöver
Choice Popular vote Cantons Votes % Full Half Total For 1,467,357 77.6 19 6 22 Against 424,058 22.4 1 0 1 Blank votes 23,651 – – – – Invalid votes 1,463 – – – – Total 1,916,529 100 20 6 23 Registered voters/turnout 3,867,603 49.6 – – – Source: Nohlen & Stöver
February: Popular initiative against advertising addictive drugs [ edit ] Choice Popular vote Cantons Votes % Full Half Total For 773,485 41.0 0 1 0.5 Against 1,115,116 59.0 20 5 22.5 Blank votes 26,247 – – – – Invalid votes 1,697 – – – – Total 1,916,545 100 20 6 23 Registered voters/turnout 3,867,603 49.6 – – – Source: Nohlen & Stöver
February: Popular initiative on people's rights and nuclear power installations[ edit ] Choice Popular vote Cantons Votes % Full Half Total For 920,480 48.8 8 2 9 Against 965,927 51.2 12 4 14 Blank votes 29,400 – – – – Invalid votes 1,755 – – – – Total 1,917,562 100 20 6 23 Registered voters/turnout 3,867,603 49.6 – – – Source: Nohlen & Stöver
May: Changes to sales and direct federal taxation [ edit ] Choice Popular vote Cantons Votes % Full Half Total For 496,882 34.6 0 0 0 Against 939,533 65.4 20 6 23 Blank votes 21,817 – – – – Invalid votes 1,690 – – – – Total 1,459,922 100 20 6 23 Registered voters/turnout 3,876,719 37.7 – – – Source: Nohlen & Stöver
May: Nuclear power law [ edit ] Choice Votes % For 982,634 68.9 Against 444,422 31.1 Blank votes 30,169 – Invalid votes 1,930 – Total 1,459,155 100 Registered voters/turnout 3,876,719 37.6 Source: Nohlen & Stöver