Five referendums were held in Switzerland during 1920.[1] The first three were held on 21 March on a federal law on regulating employment contracts, a ban on creating gambling establishments and a counterproposal to the ban.[1] The fourth was held on 16 May on membership of the League of Nations (of which Switzerland had become a founding member the previous year),[2] whilst the fifth was held on 31 October on a federal law on working times on railways and other transport services.[1] Three of the five referendums, on the ban on gambling establishments, League of Nations membership and the law on working times, were passed.[1]
The referendum on joining the League of Nations was a mandatory referendum, whilst the ban on gambling establishments was a popular initiative.[1] Together with the counter-proposal, all three required a double majority; a majority of the popular vote and majority of the cantons.[3] The decision of each canton was based on the vote in that canton.[3] Full cantons counted as one vote, whilst half cantons counted as half.[3] The referendums on employment contracts and working times were optional referendums,[1] which required only a majority of the public vote.[3]
Contemporary analyses indicate that support for Swiss membership in the League of Nations was led by the Independent Democratic (Radical) Party, the Liberal Democratic (Protestant Conservative) Party, the anti-Bolshevist Peasants’ Party, the Christian Social Party, and the Griitlianer. Opposition came from Socialists aligned with Bolshevism and a faction of senior Swiss army officers led by Ulrich Wille, while Catholic Conservatives were divided.[2]
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