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Four referendums were held in Switzerland during 1939.^[1] The first two were held on 22 January on a popular initiative on civil rights (which was rejected) and a federal resolution on the restricted use of the urgency clause in the constitution (which was approved).^[1] The third was held on 4 June on a constitutional amendment regarding the funding for government policies on defence and unemployment, and was approved by voters.^[1] The fourth was held on 3 December on a federal law on the employment status and insurance for federal civil servants, and was rejected by voters.^[1]

Background

The referendums on the urgency clause and the funding of defence and unemployment policies both involved amending the constitution, and so were "obligatory" referendums,^[1] requiring a double majority; a majority of the popular vote and majority of the cantons.^[2] The decision of each canton was based on the vote in that canton.^[2] Full cantons counted as one vote, whilst half cantons counted as half.^[2] The popular initiative on civil rights also required a double majority, whilst the referendum on civil servants was an optional referendum,^[1] requiring only a majority of voters in favour to pass.^[2]

Results

January: popular initiative on civil rights

Choice	Popular vote		Cantons
Choice	Votes	%	Full	Half	Total
For	141,323	28.9	0	0	0
Against	347,340	71.1	19	6	22
Blank votes	77,687	–	–	–	–
Invalid votes	3,211	–	–	–	–
Total	569,561	100	19	6	22
Registered voters/turnout	1,223,536	46.6	–	–	–
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

January: Use of the urgency clause

Choice	Popular vote		Cantons
Choice	Votes	%	Full	Half	Total
For	346,024	69.1	18	6	21
Against	155,032	30.9	1	0	1
Blank votes	65,459	–	–	–	–
Invalid votes	3,046	–	–	–	–
Total	569,561	100	19	6	22
Registered voters/turnout	1,223,536	46.6	–	–	–
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

June: Funding for defence and unemployment policy

Choice	Popular vote		Cantons
Choice	Votes	%	Full	Half	Total
For	445,622	69.1	16	6	19
Against	199,540	30.9	3	0	3
Blank votes	24,871	–	–	–	–
Invalid votes	1,420	–	–	–	–
Total	671,453	100	19	6	22
Registered voters/turnout	1,226,873	54.7	–	–	–
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

December: Civil servants

Choice	Votes	%
For	290,238	37.6
Against	481,035	62.4
Blank votes	19,524	–
Invalid votes	2,102	–
Total	792,899	100
Registered voters/turnout	1,241,404	63.9
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Nohlen, D & Stöver, P (2010) Elections in Europe: A data handbook, pp1912 ISBN 9783832956097
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Nohlen & Stöver, p1891