REPUBLIQUE
ET CANTON
DE GENEVE

Rouge

Rose

Orange

Vert

Beige

Brun

Noir

Bleu marine Revenir à la couleur par défaut

Cette fonctionnalité est spécialement dédiée aux personnes daltoniennes.
Ici vous pouvez choisir la couleur de vos liens dans les pages afin de les rendre plus visibles.

Recherche avancée

ge.ch Démarches en ligne Organisation Thèmes Chemin de vie

E-Voting

Ge.ch > Thèmes > Citoyenneté > Votations - Elections > Votations > E-Voting > FAQ

e-voting

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

1. Political rights

Who is entitled to vote?

All Swiss citizens aged 18 and over and residing in Geneva have the right to vote in the canton. For municipal ballots you must have been resident in the same municipality for three months.

Foreign nationals resident in Switzerland for eight years can vote in municipal ballots and sign municipal initiatives and referendums in the municipality in which they are resident.

All voters, both Swiss and foreign, are automatically registered on the electoral rolls, with the exception of those who have diplomatic status (diplomats and senior executives of international organisations). These people can register as voters by completing the form at the following address: http://www.ge.ch/etrangers-confederes/fr/doc/i4-1-demande-de-vote-internationaux.pdf

Can Swiss citizens living abroad vote?

Federal law grants Swiss citizens living abroad the right to vote on federal matters. In Geneva, cantonal law also grants them political rights at cantonal level. To exercise these rights, they must present themselves to the Swiss consulate of their place of residence and renew their registration every four years.

The usual voting method of Swiss citizens living abroad is postal voting. Since September 2009, Genevans abroad living in the European Union or a country that is a signatory to the Wassenaar Arrangement can vote by internet for referendums and initiatives. The signatories to the Wassenaar Agreement are Argentina, Australia, Canada, Croatia, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, the Republic of Korea, the Republic of South Africa, the Russian Federation, Turkey, Ukraine and the United States of America.

How is the electoral roll updated?

The electoral roll comes from the register of inhabitants kept up to date by the Cantonal Population Office. Data is extracted from it eight weeks before each ballot.

I will be 18 on polling day: will I receive the voting material and be able to vote?

Yes

I have moved within the canton: am I registered to vote?

Yes, the federal and cantonal right to vote is immediate. However, for municipal popular votes, you will remain registered in your former municipality of residence for three months in order to prevent voters from registering temporarily in a municipality in order to influence the result of a municipal ballot.

I just moved to Geneva a few days/weeks ago, can I vote?

Yes, the right to vote is immediate. Contact the Service des votations et élections (022 546 52 00) to obtain the voting material.

I moved a few days ago and the voting material has been sent to my former address

This is normal, the voting cards are printed 8 to 10 weeks before polling day. You must use the material sent to your formal address.

I have just obtained Genevan citizenship. How do I register on the electoral roll?

The authorities register you automatically as soon as you have taken the oath.

I am currently serving a prison sentence. Can I vote?

Yes, by post.

How can hospitalised people vote?

By post or by internet if available.

How can citizens doing military service vote?

By post, in the polling station while on weekend leave or by internet.

Is proxy voting authorised?

No, under no circumstances.

Can I vote in place of a family member or friend?

No, under no circumstances. Voting for another person, even with his consent, is a criminal offence (article 183 of the Geneva law on exercising political rights). However, visually impaired and partially sighted people and disabled people in general can be helped by a person of their choice.