In a more outward-looking verdict delivered the same day, voters in Canton Vaud endorsed an amendment that gives some 25 000 Vaudois living overseas the right to elect—and even stand for—the Council of States, Switzerland’s upper house of parliament. The measure, approved by 63.9 percent of voters, aligns Senate voting rights with those already enjoyed for the National Council and brings Vaud into line with 13 other cantons.
For Switzerland’s 800 000-strong diaspora, many of whom are on corporate postings, the reform deepens political ties with their home canton and could encourage greater participation in federal affairs ranging from taxation to social-security treaties. Eligibility requires voters to keep a domicile registration in Vaud; elected Senators must return to reside locally once in office.
![Canton Vaud Grants Swiss Citizens Abroad the Right to Elect the Federal Senate]()
The cantonal chancellery plans to roll out secure e-voting and improved postal-voting channels ahead of the 2027 federal elections. Mobility managers should alert Vaud-born expatriate staff to update their consular records and watch for technical guidance. The move may also nudge the remaining cantons—most notably Valais—to extend similar rights, gradually harmonising the political landscape for Swiss citizens abroad.
While the decision does not affect foreign residents, it highlights Switzerland’s piecemeal approach to democratic rights: on the same day Vaud voters expanded the franchise for their own citizens overseas, they turned down voting rights for long-term foreign residents at home. The contrasting outcomes illustrate the canton-by-canton evolution that HR policy teams must monitor.
For Switzerland’s 800 000-strong diaspora, many of whom are on corporate postings, the reform deepens political ties with their home canton and could encourage greater participation in federal affairs ranging from taxation to social-security treaties. Eligibility requires voters to keep a domicile registration in Vaud; elected Senators must return to reside locally once in office.
The cantonal chancellery plans to roll out secure e-voting and improved postal-voting channels ahead of the 2027 federal elections. Mobility managers should alert Vaud-born expatriate staff to update their consular records and watch for technical guidance. The move may also nudge the remaining cantons—most notably Valais—to extend similar rights, gradually harmonising the political landscape for Swiss citizens abroad.
While the decision does not affect foreign residents, it highlights Switzerland’s piecemeal approach to democratic rights: on the same day Vaud voters expanded the franchise for their own citizens overseas, they turned down voting rights for long-term foreign residents at home. The contrasting outcomes illustrate the canton-by-canton evolution that HR policy teams must monitor.
