SWITZERLAND

ELECTORAL SYSTEM
 
Chamber:
  Ständerat - Conseil des Etats - Consiglio degli Stati
 
Electoral Law:
  1 January 1900
 
 
Constituencies:
  - 20 multi-member (2 seats) constituencies representing the cantons
- 6 single-member constituencies representing half-cantons
 
Voting System:
  Cantonal law governs election to the Council of States. Members are generally chosen by simple majority vote.
By-elections are generally held to fill vacancies arising between general elections.
Voting is compulsory in a small number of cantons, where those abstaining without a justifiable reason are subject to a small fine.
 
Voter requirements:
  (governed by cantonal law)
 
Eligibility:
  (governed by cantonal law)
 
Incompatibilities:
  - Members of the Federal Council
- Federal judges
- Federal civil servants
- High-ranking army officials
 
Candidacy requirements:
  (cantonal law)


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