Direct Democracy: Residents Vote With a Show of Hands

Last weekend, thousands of citizens gathered in the small Swiss canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden to cast their votes at the Landsgemeinde, not by filling out paper ballots but by a simple show of hands.

Voters in the main square

The gathering starts with a parade of government members, followed by the discussion of issues where attendees can stand up and voice their opinions on the assembly podium. The Landammann, the presiding official, encourages everyone to make compromises and listen to each other. For hours, questions boom over loudspeakers about constitutional, legislative, and financial issues, in addition to elections for local leaders. Residents of the canton - home to roughly 17,000 - either raised their hands for “yes” or kept them down for “no.” From a wooden podium, the chief magistrate visually assesses the crowd to determine each outcome - often requiring multiple rounds or calling upon city officials for closer calls.

​The tradition, known as the Landsgemeinde, dates back to 1376 and today only survives in two of Switzerland’s 26 cantons due to concerns over privacy and practicality in areas with larger populations. But locals note that the transparency can be a strength. “I think it’s nice to have it direct and to talk with people about it and to hear arguments directly,” Ursulina, a 31-year-old voter, told Agence France-Presse.

Angela Koller, the head of the cantonal government, added: “Standing together with other people, you can experience politics with all your senses.” She noted that the system “isn’t perfect,” but “we have a culture here where people can tolerate that, where they know they have different opinions.”

The Financial Times reports that the system ensures that every person can have their say despite multiple national languages and significant cultural differences. This appears to pull citizens on both sides towards the reasonable middle. Not so long ago, the Swiss voted against giving themselves more holidays on the basis that it may cause long-term damage to the economy.