Five referendums were held in Switzerland in 1891.[1] The first was held on 15 March on a federal law on federal officials who had become unemployable due to disability, and was rejected by 79.4% of voters.[1] The second was held on 5 July on a constitutional amendment, and was approved by 60.3% of voters.[1] Two referendums were held on 18 October, one on revising article 39 of the federal constitution and one on a federal law on Swiss tariffs; both were approved.[1] The last was held on 6 December on the question of whether the federal government should purchase the Swiss Central Railway, but was rejected by 68.9% of voters.[1]
The two constitutional referendums were mandatory referendums,[1] which required both a majority of voters and cantons.[2] The other three were optional referendums,[1] which meant that only a majority of the public vote was required for the proposals to be approved.[2]
