How many signatures are needed for a popular initiative at federal level?
Wie viele Unterschriften braucht es für eine Volksinitiative auf Bundesebene?
Correct answer: B
- A 30'00030'000
- B 100'000100'000
- C 500'000500'000
- D 800'000800'000
Why
A federal popular initiative needs 100'000 valid signatures, collected within 18 months.
Common mistakes
- A: 30'000
- That is too few. A referendum already needs 50'000 signatures, and an initiative needs twice as many.
- C: 500'000
- The law does not require 500'000 signatures. The number is 100'000.
Topic
The popular initiative: amending the Constitution
With a popular initiative, the people themselves bring in a new idea. A group of citizens proposes an amendment to the Federal Constitution. In this way important concerns of the population come to a vote, even if the government and Parliament do not want them. That is why the initiative is an important political right.
The majority of cantons votes yes.
- Canton 1 × 20
- Half-canton ½ × 6
20 × 1 + 6 × ½ = 23 cantonal votes
Needed: 12 of 23. The 6 former half cantons count half.
Map: Bundesamt für Statistik (BFS), GEOSTAT.
Having a say: rights and obligations
Initiative and referendum
Sources
Last checked: September 2026
Question 43 of the official question list of the Canton of Zurich (Gemeindeamt, May 2025). Translation and explanation: Swiss Passport.