Overview of the Vaud referendums
Vaud voters faced a busy Sunday, weighing two main proposals on political rights and representation, alongside a suite of cultural and environmental issues. The constitutional framework in Vaud already requires foreigners to have resided in Switzerland for ten years and to be domiciled in the canton for at least three years. The proposed decree, stemming from a parliamentary initiative by left member Hadrien Buclin, would have shortened the waiting period for foreigners to vote and stand for municipal offices.
Foreigners’ voting rights: the No vote
With about 92 percent of ballots counted, the result favored maintaining the current rules. No won with 103’874 votes to 81’980 Yes, while turnout stood at 45.6 percent. The verdict preserves the ten-year Swiss residence requirement and the canton-level three-year residency for the right to vote and run in communal elections, signaling a cautious stance on expanding political participation for non-citizens at the local level.
Small parties and the Grand Council: greater access ahead
In another canton-wide vote, residents considered extending access to the Grand Council for smaller parties by adjusting the quorum in proportional elections. The outcome leaned toward Yes, with about 90’073 votes in favor and 79’547 against, at 90 percent counted. The turnout was 45.5 percent.
The reform is set to take effect for the next round of proportional elections to the Grand Council, scheduled for March 2026. Debates on the LEDs reform have animated Vaud politics since 2021, reflecting a broader push to improve representation for smaller parties within the cantonal legislature.
The Mormont initiative and the counter-project
A separate ballot addressed environmental protection and land use around the Mormont hill near Eclépens. The initiative Sauvons le Mormont appears to have failed to gain constitution-level protection; instead, the hill will be safeguarded through environmental law. Concurrently, the State Council’s counter-project—anchored in the principle of circular economy—garners broad support and is headed toward approval at 67.74 percent after 87 percent counted, while the initiative itself sits at 38.80 percent. Turnout reached 45.33 percent. The Mormont site became a focal point after becoming Switzerland’s first ZAD in 2020–2021 and remains a touchstone for regional debates on land use and sustainability.
Cultural recognition: BDFIL Caran d’Ache prize 2025
In the arts, the BDFIL Caran d’Ache prize honored emerging comic creators, with Japanese artist Maria Komatsu taking the top prize. Two Swiss artists, Célestine Braillard (runner-up) and Julie Magnollay (third place), received 2000 francs, 1500 francs and 1000 francs respectively. The awards were presented at the Musée de la machine à écrire in Lausanne, tying into the third edition of the prize under the BDFIL festival. The winning work stood out for its narrative pace, confident drawing, and a playful yet precise style that invites readers into vivid, human worlds, with the 2025 theme Bleu de travail echoing in the related exhibition running through October 26.
Mobility and innovation on Lake Léman: LNID
Also on the agenda was the Lausanne Nautical Innovation Days (LNID), a mobility-focused event set for Saturday October 4 on the Place de la Navigation. Open to the public, the gathering is driven by the City of Lausanne, EPFL, CGN and a consortium of companies and associations active in sustainable water transport. Organizer Esteban Garcia, founder of Realteam Spirit, frames LNID as a catalyst for collaboration among public actors, academia and industry to accelerate decarbonized nautical mobility. The event highlights electric and hydrogen ferries and other green technologies, reflecting a broader push toward cleaner regional mobility while showcasing local know-how.
What comes next
These votes underscore a cantonal landscape balancing immigration policy, political reform and environmental stewardship with a robust cultural scene. As Vaud looks toward municipal elections in 2026 and ongoing debates over representation and sustainability, residents appear intent on measured reforms that strengthen participation while protecting strategic regional values. The blend of civic turnout, parliamentary changes and environmental policy signals a Canton aiming to harmonize social progress with responsible governance.
