Today, Swiss voted on whether to make it easier for third generation residents to become Swiss nationals. This plan was accepted by 60.4% of voters. The vote to overhaul the company tax system was rejected by 59.1% of voters, and the vote to spend more federal funds on roads was accepted by 62% of voters.
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The results were in line with most poll predictions leading up to the votes.
The government proposed plan to make the naturalisation process easier for third generation residents divided the country. French-speaking Swiss were heavily in favour of it, with 70.9% of those in Jura, Neuchâtel, Vaud, Geneva and Valais voting in favour. Across the rest of Switzerland an average of 57.6% were in favour of the plan. The cantons of Uri (46.5% yes), Schwyz (45.8%), Obwalden (46.4%), Glaris (49.6%), Appenzell-Innerrhoden (43.6%), and St. Gallen (49.8%) were all against it.
The plan to spend more general tax-payer money on roads was accepted by voters in all cantons but most positively received by voters in Neuchâtel (76.9%) and Vaud (74.3%). The cantons of Basel-City (53.6%) Schaffhausen (57%) and Uri (57.1%) were the closest to rejecting it.
The plan to change the way companies are taxed, a government led move triggered by pressure for the rest of the world for Switzerland to do away with special company tax deals, was rejected in all cantons except Nidwalden, Zug, Ticino and Vaud.
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