In tandem with the new organization of polls coming into force, the Federal Chancellery has published an explanatory leaflet. Read though it to ensure your vote is counted.

Brochure explicative de la Chancellerie d’Etat 315 ko

By-law regarding electorate summons

By-law regarding summons of electorate –cantonal vote 3 April 2011-03-08
Doc (288.12Ko)

At the polling station
Voters who go in person with their voting form that bears their signature and date of birth, can exercise their voting rights.

From the vote held on 17 January 2010 onwards, Neuchâtel town’s polling station is open on the Sunday of the vote between 10am and 12 pm at the Town Hall (Hôtel de Ville), (ground floor, entrance via rue du Concert).

Access plan to electoral office 363KO

By post
Since 2001, it has also been possible to vote by post using the paperwork that is personally sent to each voter by the local administration.

Should voting envelopes be sent by B-mail (slow), they should be posted by the Tuesday before the vote. The reply envelope must reach the local administration by the day of vote (Sunday) by 10.00a.m. at the latest.

Since August 2006, the voter must pay postage on the return envelope if sent through the Post Office, otherwise the vote will not be counted.

By internet
Since 25th September 2005, voters who have signed a contract at the Guichet unique can vote by internet using the voting material that is personally sent to each voter by the local administration. (Note: the Federal Council can limit the number of voters permitted to vote by internet)

The vote by internet must be made by midday at the latest on the Saturday before the vote.

You will find information about the registration at the Guichet unique via the following link: Guichet unique 

At Federal level
• Swiss citizens over 18 years of age, living in the town of Neuchâtel
• Swiss citizens living abroad, over 18 years of age and registered in the town of Neuchâtel

can exercise their right to vote in elections of the National Council and the Federal referendums.

At Cantonal level
• Swiss citizens over 18 years of age, living in the town of Neuchâtel
• Swiss citizens living abroad, over 18 years of age and registered in the town of Neuchâtel
• Foreigners as well as stateless persons over 18 years of age and living in the town of Neuchâtel and who have a residence permit and have lived in the canton of Neuchâtel for at least five years

can exercise their right to vote in elections of the Council of States (Conseil des Etats), the cantonal parliament (Grand Conseil), the local executive (Conseil d’Etat) and the cantonal referendums.

At Local level
• Swiss citizens over 18 years of age and living in the town of Neuchâtel
• Swiss citizens living abroad, over 18 years of age and registered in the town of Neuchâtel
• Foreigners as well as stateless persons over 18 years of age and living in the town of Neuchâtel and who have a residence permit and have lived in the canton of Neuchâtel for at least one year

can exercise their right to vote in elections of the Conseil général and the local referendums.

As a Swiss citizen living abroad registered in the town of Neuchâtel, you can participate in the Swiss political life at federal, cantonal and local levels. Indeed, since 27th May 2003, by order of the Neuchâtel cantonal parliament (Grand Conseil), Swiss citizens living abroad can also exercise their right to vote at local level.

If you wish to exercise your right to vote whilst abroad, the following conditions must be fulfilled:
- you have transferred your domicile abroad
- you are over 18 years and
- you are registered on the electoral register of the town of Neuchâtel

As a Swiss citizen living abroad you can request to be registered on the electoral register of the town of Neuchâtel by sending the registration form below to the Swiss diplomatic representation or consulate of your host country:

Formulaire de demande de droit de vote pour les Suisses de l’étranger

Your registration must be renewed every four years. However, in order to simplify the process, you will receive the following form every year:

Formulaire de renouvellement de l'inscritption dans le registre électoral

All that is required is for it to be completed and sent to the following address:

Administration communale
Contrôle des habitants
Rue de l’Hôtel-de-Ville 1
2000 Neuchâtel