INTERNET VOTING AND FEDERALISM: THE SWISS CASE

The Swiss Confederation has a unique political system characterized by strong decentralization and active citizen participation. Voters are asked to participate in votes and elections several times a year at the different levels of Government (local, cantonal, federal). The 26 Cantons (States) have substantial autonomy in political rights implementation including the use of additional voting channels such as the postal or internet ones. Switzerland is a pioneer of internet voting, having started to use it in a controlled and gradual way since the beginning of the years 2000. This paper highlights the relationship between political rights, federalism and internet voting in Switzerland. We affirm that the way internet voting develops in Switzerland is strongly influenced by the federalist context. On the other hand internet voting has also contributed to reinforce federalism.