Live coverage begins: Geneva’s Council of State first round and cantonal votes
Geneva voters head to the polls this Sunday for the first round of the Council of State election, with ten candidates vying to replace Antonio Hodgers. In addition to the decisive cantonal contest, residents will weigh in on seven cantonal measures and two federal questions. The evening’s program promises to unpack all of these results in real time, with expert commentary and the insights of editors and guests alike.
From 11:55 a.m., the newsroom will host a special broadcast from the Canons of Vieille-Ville, providing ongoing results from the first round of the Geneva Council of State race, along with updates on the cantonal voting items. The show is anchored by Jérémy Seydoux and Vincent Ulrich, who will be joined by a panel of political journalists and specialists ready to dissect each development as the ballots are tallied.
What’s on the ballot in this cantonal election
The centerpiece remains the council race, with ten candidates competing for the seat that Hodgers is vacating. The outcome of this first round will determine whether a clear frontrunner emerges or if a second round becomes necessary. As results flow in, the focus will be on how the candidates perform across urban and suburban precincts, and what coalitions might form in the wake of Sunday’s tallies.
Cantonal voting items: identified themes on the ballot
Genevans will also decide on seven cantonal measures. First on the agenda is the initiative for a Canton that Walks, alongside the government’s counter-proposal from the Grand Council. The discussion around “Corset” laws — nicknamed for their stance on tightening or relaxing regulatory belts — will accompany these votes as residents weigh the balance between reform and tradition.
Two major initiatives in focus
The left field supports a bold housing proposal aimed at expanding cooperative housing, a measure designed to promote affordable living space in a tight housing market. On the other side, the UDC (Swiss People’s Party) backs an initiative to grant police immunity, a contentious proposal that has split opinion across the canton. The way Genevans vote on these initiatives will reveal broader attitudes toward public safety, social policy, and the role of municipal governance in daily life.
Federal questions on the ballot
Beyond cantonal issues, residents will be asked to weigh in on two federal questions. The first concerns the electronic ID, or e-ID, which could shape how citizens interact with state services in the digital age. The second federal item seeks to abolish the tax on the imputed rental value, a financial question that affects homeowners and renters alike and carries implications for the broader Swiss tax landscape.
A local neighborhood ballot: Hermance and the “Les songes d’une nuit d’été” project
In Hermance, voters will revisit the fate of the quarter known as “Les songes d’une nuit d’été.” Local residents have asked for clarity on how this designation will influence development, zoning, and community identity. The outcome here may set the tone for how smaller cantonal communities engage with larger cantonal and federal policy shifts in Geneva.
Why these results matter for Geneva
As voters cast ballots in the first round, observers will be watching not just the winner of the Council of State race, but the signal sent by cantonal initiatives and federal questions. The afternoon programming will translate raw tallies into meaningful context, explaining why the results could affect municipal budgets, social programs, housing policy, policing strategies, and the region’s approach to digital governance. For Geneva, a city accustomed to high civic engagement, the Sunday tally will shape debates well into the coming weeks and set expectations for any runoff battles to follow.
