Swiss Voters Narrowly Back Electronic ID Cards

The Swiss e-ID—which will be voluntary—could be used to order licenses, prove age, or confirm residence.

A Swiss national flag in Bourg-Saint-Pierre, western Switzerland, on June 21, 2022. Photo by Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty Images

Swiss voters narrowly approved the introduction of voluntary electronic identity cards in a Sept. 28 referendum, the country’s second national vote on digital IDs.

The Federal Act on Electronic Identification Services (e-ID Act) passed with 50.4 percent support and 49.6 percent opposed, according to official results. Turnout was 49.5 percent.