A popular initiative in Switzerland needs 100,000 signatures within 18 months and an optional referendum 50,000 within 100 days

Background

The Federal Constitution deals with the rights of voters in Switzerland to act directly in Title 4: The People and the Cantons, Chapter 2: Initiative and Referendum. Under Art. 138, any 100,000 persons eligible to vote may within 18 months of the official publication of their initiative propose a complete revision of the Federal Constitution, and that proposal must be submitted to a vote of the People. Under Art. 139, any 100,000 persons eligible to vote may within 18 months of the official publication of their initiative request a partial revision of the Federal Constitution in specific terms. An initiative in the form of a specific draft shall be submitted to the vote of the People and the Cantons. Art. 141 provides for the optional referendum: if within 100 days of the official publication of the enactment any 50,000 persons eligible to vote or any eight Cantons request it, the enactment shall be submitted to a vote of the People.