On a federal level, voters will have their say on two issues.
One is the 'Neutrality Initiative', instigated by the sovereignist organisation Pro Schweiz – an offshoot of the populist Swiss People’s Party (SVP).
It seeks to better anchor Swiss neutrality in the country's Constitution - concretely, by banning Switzerland from joining NATO (or any other military alliances), except in the event of a direct attack against the country.
READ MORE: The future of Swiss neutrality to be decided at the ballot box
The second issue on the ballot is the "Food Initiative," spearheaded by an environmental activist Franziska Herren.
It states that Swiss population must have access at all times to high-quality, affordable food in sufficient quantities, and Swiss agriculture must also meet a range of requirements to protect the environment, biodiversity, and drinking water.
Latest polls predict that both initiatives will be rejected.
What about cantonal votes?
This is what will be at the ballot box in some cantons:
Vaud: Taxes
"Tax cuts for all – Restoring purchasing power to the middle class" seeks, as its title suggests, lower tax, specifically, a 12-percent cut in cantonal income and wealth tax for individuals.
According to the Initiative Committee, composed of the Vaud Employers' Federation (FPV), the Vaud Real Estate Chambers (CVI), and the Vaud Chamber of Commerce and Industry, this proposal addresses what is considered a high tax burden in Vaud.
However, cantonal authorities recommend the ‘no’ vote, pointing out that accepting the initiative would lead to a 272-million-franc drop in state coffers each year, which will impact the financing of a variety of public programmes.
Geneva: Paying for France’s infrastructure
Though this may sound odd, the fact is that Geneva lies right on the border with France, and the two share much of the same public transport system – such as the cross-border Léman Express train, for instance.
On September 27th, the people of Geneva will vote on a 39.5-million-franc contribution to co-finance the transport infrastructure in neighbouring French regions
Almost all parties support the measure, spearheaded by the Parliament, which argues that the money will help reduce the number of cars at border crossings and on the cantonal road network.
The only opponent is the Geneva Citizens’ Movement (MCG) party which says that the canton "already pays nearly 500 million francs to France every year” in income taxes withdrawn from the roughly 115,000 French residents who commute across the border into Switzerland for work .
So “adding another 39 million francs is completely excessive,” the party said.
Zurich: Assisted dying
The cantonal government has devised a counter-proposal to the similar initiative, which has been withdrawn in favour of this one.
The legislative amendment stipulates that private retirement and nursing homes, as well as hospitals and rehabilitation clinics in Zurich, must accept assisted dying on their premises.
The only exceptions would be psychiatric facilities and prisons.
To date, while this practice is allowed in publically-funded institutions, private retirement and nursing homes in Zurich have not been legally required to permit end-of-life care or assisted suicide in their facilities (though patients can choose to go to a private clinic for that purpose).
The vote aims to ensure that an institution's religious or ideological orientation does not deny patients access to these services.
However, SVP), the Evangelical People's Party (EVP), and the Evangelical People's Party (EDU), are opposed to the proposed change.
They criticise the proposed mandatory provision for the few non-state-run assisted suicide facilities, fearing hat the burden on staff and residents in these facilities, which reject assisted suicide for religious or ethical reasons, could be significant.
READ MORE: Which Swiss cantons allow assisted dying in care homes?
Basel-City: Ban on illegal demonstrations
Also called the ‘Anti-Chaos Initiative’, this measure calls on the cantonal government to consistently prevent unauthorised or illegal demonstrations and rallies, as well as holding organisers and participants financially responsible for property damage and costs of police action.
The measure’s instigators – Basel sections of the Swiss People’s Party (SVP) and Liberal-Radicals (FDP) argue that public safety must be strengthened, businesses and residents protected, and illegal blockades or riots should no longer tolerated.
Opponents (including youth parties, left-wing groups, and organisations such as Amnesty International), on the other hand, criticise the proposal as an “attack on fundamental rights.”
They argue that freedom of expression and assembly is being "disproportionately restricted."
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