Unequal Voices: The Educational Gap of Voting Choices in the Swiss Direct Democracy

This contribution examines the educational gap in voting behavior in Swiss direct democracy, moving beyond the well‐documented turnout differences to assess how education shapes citizens' choices. Drawing on survey data covering 300 votes between 1985 and 2020, we analyze the extent to which low‐ and highly‐educated voters diverge in their support for government positions. Results show that, on average, low‐educated voters are less supportive of the government, with substantial gaps in about one‐sixth of votes, particularly in referendums and on issues of immigration, asylum, and foreign policy. These findings highlight the salience of the “globalization cleavage,” whereby low‐educated voters, often perceiving external openness as a threat, oppose government‐backed policies. While the declining share of low‐educated voters limits their veto power, their opposition has played a role in some government defeats. The study highlights how education stratifies political preferences and may foster divides both among citizens and between citizens and elites.