Regulation on the Electoral Roll for Swiss Abroad - Voting Municipality

1. The canton is considered the electoral community for Swiss citizens abroad who are eligible to vote in federal matters. It is represented by the State Chancellery.

1. The Office of the State Chancellery centrally maintains the electoral register for Swiss citizens abroad who wish to exercise their political rights in federal matters and who have registered in accordance with federal legal regulations.

1. In addition to the task of maintaining the central voting register, the Civil Registry Office fulfills all duties assigned to the voting community by the Federal Act on the Political Rights of Swiss Citizens Abroad (SR 161.5) and the associated Ordinance (SR 161.51).

1. The State Chancellery shall in particular

a) directly deliver the official voting materials and the Federal Council's explanations to the eligible voters at their foreign residential address

b) open the returned envelopes received

c) determine the result

d) provisionally compile the voting and election results together with the reports from the municipal polling offices

e) certify the voting rights of Swiss citizens abroad for federal popular initiatives and referendums

2. The Director or Director-General of the Chancellery shall designate the employees of the State Chancellery who will form the polling office.

1. To the extent that federal law and this regulation do not provide otherwise, the voting and election procedure for Swiss citizens abroad is governed by the provisions of the Act on Secret Ballots, Votes, and Popular Rights.

1. The municipalities shall enable the cantonal chancellery to fulfill its role as the voting municipality for Swiss citizens abroad.

2. In particular, they shall

a) report to the cantonal chancellery all registered Swiss citizens abroad who are eligible to vote on federal matters, with all necessary information;

b) promptly forward any subsequent notifications they receive.

1. This regulation requires federal approval.

2. It enters into force on January 1, 2010.