Voting status of people with an intellectual disability in four French–speaking cantons of Switzerland: A survey

Switzerland is a direct democracy, so its citizens are very often called to vote on various issues. Gaining voter status is, however, a very difficult process for many Swiss citizens with intellectual disability. This research describes the voting status of people with intellectual disability in four French–speaking cantons of Switzerland. It tries to understand systemic or structural factors, such as the guardianship legislation and the legal frameworks, that might have an impact on the voting status of these people. Three hundred individuals with intellectual disability (18–72 years) took part in the study. They were recruited in 11 facilities through a full selection or a letter-cluster sampling procedure depending on the age group. A questionnaire for each participant was anonymously completed by a support person in the facilities. The questionnaire was constructed with the assistance of self–advocates with intellectual disability, as well as that of people with various roles in decisions regarding voting rights, or providing support to people with intellectual disability, in the participating cantons. Descriptive analyses have been used. The results show that on average slightly more than one person with intellectual disability out of two received voting material, and about one out of two used it. Non-receipt of voting material is significantly linked to general curatorship, higher financial allowance, living in less independent conditions and/or working in the most protective sectors. People who use their rights more are those who live in more protective environments. Having an intellectual disability implies a higher risk of being deprived of one's political rights, even when the law does not systematically prescribe such a restriction. Even a tailor-made gradual guardianship system can result in rigid applications of the law, characterized by illegitimate deprivation of rights, such as the right to vote.