Swiss Passport

Question 30 of 350 · Elections and popular votes

Who can be elected to political office at federal level?

Wer kann auf Bundesebene in ein politisches Amt gewählt werden?

Correct answer: C

  1. Aanyone who has a jobwer eine Arbeit hat
  2. Banyone who lives in Switzerlandwer in der Schweiz lebt
  3. Canyone who has Swiss citizenship and is of legal agewer das Schweizer Bürgerrecht hat und volljährig ist
  4. Danyone who speaks at least two national languageswer mindestens zwei Landessprachen spricht

Why

For eligibility for election at federal level, the same rules apply as for the right to vote: Swiss citizenship and at least 18 years of age.

Common mistakes

B: anyone who lives in Switzerland
Living in Switzerland is not enough. Without Swiss citizenship, you cannot be elected to a federal political office.
D: anyone who speaks at least two national languages
There is no rule that you must speak two national languages to be elected.
A: anyone who has a job
Having a job is not a requirement for being elected.

Topic

Who may vote in elections and popular votes?

At federal level, only people who have Swiss citizenship and are at least 18 years old may have a say. These people are called voters (Stimmberechtigte). Where you were born, how much tax you pay or whether you have a criminal record does not matter. Only a few adults are excluded: those who permanently cannot decide for themselves because of a serious mental illness or disability.

Having a say: rights and obligations · Elections and popular votes

Sources

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