It’s estimated that over 90% of voters in Switzerland cast their ballots via mail – a proportion which stands out globally, yet which hasn’t led to major political debates about security or fraud.
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As part of the democracy team, I report on the dynamic relationship between citizens and their institutions in Switzerland and abroad.
Born in Ireland, I have a BA in European Studies and MA in International Relations. I've been at SWI swissinfo.ch since 2017.
I oversee the distribution and social media channels for the English department and write news articles in English.
I studied modern languages, English, and Russian literature, then completed an MA in international journalism in Cardiff. After that, I worked for BBC Education in Manchester for a few years before moving to Switzerland.
For many Swiss, the voting envelope which arrives by post a few weeks ahead of ballot day, complete with ballot paper, voter ID card, and informational booklet, is a regular part of political life. And they are happy to return their choices by mail: not only do the Swiss vote more often than anyone else, they are also among the heaviest users of mail-in ballots in the world.
>> Read more about how the system works, and what it means for democratic participation:
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Swiss democracy
The ins and outs of postal voting in Switzerland
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Are you comfortable putting your vote in the letterbox? From the US to Germany, some politicians say you shouldn’t be. In Switzerland, such debates remain marginal for now.
>> Postal voting may boost participation by a few percentage points, but it’s no silver bullet:
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Swiss democracy
Why voter turnout is so low in Switzerland
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Swiss direct democracy is often seen as an example for the rest of the world. Yet only a minority of eligible Swiss voters go to the polls.
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