Cantonal Council SO Solothurn voters continue to pay postage for ballot envelopes themselves
Solothurn voters and electors will still have to pay for their own postage for postal ballot envelopes in future. On Wednesday, the cantonal parliament declared an SP motion to be not substantial. This demanded that the municipalities be allowed to provide pre-stamped reply envelopes.
04.09.2024, 14:44
SDA
The decision was a clear 57 no to 30 yes, contrary to the recommendation of the cantonal government, which wanted to examine the necessary change to the law.
According to the cantonal government, ten cantons already leave it up to the municipalities to decide whether they want to pay the postage for sending in ballot papers. In a further ten cantons, the postage costs are borne entirely by the canton or communes.
Voters in the cantons of Jura, Neuchâtel, Nidwalden, Vaud and Valais must pay the postage themselves, as in the canton of Solothurn.
Not compatible with cantonal regulations
Thomas Marbet (SP), former cantonal councillor and mayor of Olten, launched the order after a proposal was tabled in Olten's municipal parliament. The city had received the answer from the State Chancellery that pre-franked envelopes were not compatible with cantonal regulations.
"We don't understand why the municipalities should not be allowed to do this if a majority in a municipality wants it," said Urs Huber (SP) in the cantonal council. Christof Schauwecker (Greens) said that it would cost the canton nothing to allow this. "Olten will finance it itself."
State Secretary Andreas Eng said that measures to increase voter turnout were to be welcomed. "Solothurn would be in good company with other cantons." According to the cantonal government, a study by the University of Fribourg showed that postal voting could increase voter turnout by up to 1.8 percent.
Do not introduce a "Lex Olten"
Christian Ginsig (GLP) said: "You have three weeks to go to the municipal letterbox." If the journey to Olten town hall was too far, an additional municipal letterbox for ballot papers on the other side of the Aare would also be a solution.
Thomas Wenger (SVP) said that this would incur unnecessary costs. There was no evidence of an increase in voter turnout and he appealed to people to take responsibility. Johanna Bartholdi (FDP) said that the benefits were questionable and that it did not make sense to introduce a "Lex Olten".
