Overview of the Vaud referendums
On Sunday, the canton of Vaud held two referendums that drew sharp contrasts in political sentiment. Voters rejected, by 54.15%, the idea of shortening the residency period required for foreigners to obtain voting and eligibility rights at the communal level. In a separate vote, they approved a change to the electoral quorum, with 47.43% voting yes. Overall turnout for both questions was around 46%.
Two parallel, very different outcomes
The ballot on access to local political rights for non-Swiss residents was a clear rejection of extending the timeline. Since 2003, foreigners living in Vaud can participate in communal life after ten years of residence and three years in the canton. The proposed amendment would have reduced this to five years in Switzerland, with three years in Vaud. The result: the status quo remains in place for now, with most residents favoring continuity over a faster path to local participation.
Geographic and civic nuance
Across the canton, Lausanne, Vevey, and roughly fifteen smaller communes supported the change; however, majorities in several larger municipalities opposed it. This pattern suggests that opinions on extending political rights to foreigners are uneven within Vaud’s urban-rural landscape. The municipal map of sentiment also foreshadows the cantonal debate slated for later this year.
Quorum rule change: a technical adjustment with political implications
In contrast, the proposal to alter how the electoral quorum is calculated drew a mixed to favorable reception among voters. The new rule would allow allied or related electoral lists to combine their votes and surpass the 5% quorum collectively, instead of each list having to clear the threshold individually. Previously, a list needed to reach the 5% mark on its own to be included in the seat distribution.
The change, which takes effect with the March 8 municipal elections, is expected to benefit smaller centrist and left-wing radical groups by reducing the penalty of fragmentation in the vote. The result in Vaud’s cantonal vote: the measure passed, even though the yes share did not reach the 50% mark, aided by a notably high share of blank ballots (10.01%) among the total, a factor cited in explaining how the outcome could be favorable with less than half of all votes cast.
Where the appetite for change was strongest—and weakest
Urban centers tended to be more receptive to the quorum adjustment, while several towns resisted the change. Notably, Montreux, Aigle, and Payerne rejected the proposal, underscoring residual skepticism toward altering the mechanics of parliamentary representation. Lausanne, by contrast, voted in favor at around 60%, while Mauraz, a very small commune with 40 registered voters, recorded a striking 61.9% support (13 yes, 7 no, 1 blank).
What comes next
Looking ahead, the canton will revisit the question of foreigners’ political rights at the cantonal level in a vote scheduled for November 30. While the debate on extending voting rights at the cantonal level remains contentious, the quorum reform has moved forward, potentially shaping how future municipal and cantonal elections are tallied. The mixed results reflect a canton navigating between pragmatic electoral mechanics and broader questions of inclusion within Swiss democracy.
Significance for Vaud’s political landscape
Experts suggest that the quorum change could ease the path for smaller parties seeking parliamentary seats, while the rejection of faster access to local voting rights indicates that enfranchisement remains a sensitive issue tied to national identity and social integration. As Vaud gears up for the next rounds of voting, the interplay between these policy areas will continue to define local political discourse and strategic campaigning.
