When did Swiss women obtain the right to vote and elect at federal level?

On 7 February 1971, Swiss men said yes at the ballot box. Since then, women have been allowed to vote and elect at federal level.

Common mistakes

A: 1918

In 1918, the national general strike demanded women's suffrage, but it was not introduced at that time.

C: 1948

In 1948, the AHV was introduced, not women's suffrage.

Women's suffrage and equal rights

In Switzerland, women were not allowed to vote and elect for a long time. Because only men were allowed to vote, the men had to decide on it. In 1959 they still said no. On 7 February 1971 they said yes, with 66 percent. Since then, Swiss women have had the right to vote and elect at federal level. Many other countries in Europe had it decades earlier.

History of Switzerland · Women's rights

Sources

• stadt-zuerich.ch
• zh.ch
• hls-dhs-dss.ch

Official question of the Canton of Zurich (Gemeindeamt, May 2025). Translation and explanation: Swiss Passport.