motions aimed at copying the Schaffhausen model, the ritual complaint being that not even half of the electorate in Switzerland bother to vote on average – quite a contrast from the halcyon days of the early 20th century, when the turnout in National Council elections was 80 per cent. One of the reasons for the decline in turnout is that people feel less attached to political parties than they used to be. Hence parties are less able to mobilise voters, says 84-year-old former railway worker. It means that no one can complain about the result. Follow Schaffhausen’s lead? Do the many people who vote in Schaffhausen actually feel engaged or slightly pressured? It is a little bit of both, say the experts. Political scientists Eveline Schwegler and Thomas Milic have found that the proportion of blank ballots – without a yes or a no – is higher in Schaffhausen than in other cantons, suggesting a certain degree of cynicism among voters. Some go to the polls to avoid the fine, and don’t bother to read up on the respective proposals. However, Schwegler and Milic also say that voter turnout in Schaffhausen is still the highest even after you deduct the small percentage of these blank ballots. In other cantons as well as at federal level, there have been various National attraction and Schaffhausen’s calling card – the magnificent, breathtaking Rhine Falls. Photo: Keystone Swiss Review / October 2023 / No.5 15
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