In a separate cantonal ballot held on 30 November, voters in Vaud approved by 63.9 % an amendment that grants some 25 000 Vaudois living overseas the right to elect—and stand for—the Council of States (upper house of the federal parliament). The reform aligns Senate voting rights with those already enjoyed for the National Council and brings Vaud into line with 13 other cantons.
The decision is significant for Switzerland’s 800 000-strong diaspora, many of whom retain professional ties with their home canton while undertaking international assignments. Eligibility will require voters to remain registered with a commune in Vaud; successful candidates must return to reside locally upon election.
![Canton Vaud Opens Senate Elections to Its Citizens Abroad]()
For multinational companies the change may boost employee engagement: Vaud-born staff seconded abroad—whether to group entities in North America, Asia-Pacific or the Gulf—will now have a direct say in shaping federal legislation that affects taxation, social security agreements and trade. Corporations headquartered in Lausanne and the Lake Geneva region may also view the rule as strengthening alumni networks and talent-return pipelines.
Practically, the cantonal chancellery will roll out secure e-voting or postal voting modalities in time for the 2027 federal elections, and HR mobility teams should remind eligible employees to update their consular registrations. The move could put gentle pressure on the remaining cantons—most notably Valais—to follow suit, gradually harmonising political rights for the Swiss Abroad across the federation.
The expatriate franchise does not extend to foreign residents and therefore runs counter to the same-day rejection of voting rights for non-citizens—illustrating the nuanced, canton-by-canton evolution of Switzerland’s political landscape.
The decision is significant for Switzerland’s 800 000-strong diaspora, many of whom retain professional ties with their home canton while undertaking international assignments. Eligibility will require voters to remain registered with a commune in Vaud; successful candidates must return to reside locally upon election.
For multinational companies the change may boost employee engagement: Vaud-born staff seconded abroad—whether to group entities in North America, Asia-Pacific or the Gulf—will now have a direct say in shaping federal legislation that affects taxation, social security agreements and trade. Corporations headquartered in Lausanne and the Lake Geneva region may also view the rule as strengthening alumni networks and talent-return pipelines.
Practically, the cantonal chancellery will roll out secure e-voting or postal voting modalities in time for the 2027 federal elections, and HR mobility teams should remind eligible employees to update their consular registrations. The move could put gentle pressure on the remaining cantons—most notably Valais—to follow suit, gradually harmonising political rights for the Swiss Abroad across the federation.
The expatriate franchise does not extend to foreign residents and therefore runs counter to the same-day rejection of voting rights for non-citizens—illustrating the nuanced, canton-by-canton evolution of Switzerland’s political landscape.
