Raise your hands if you don’t want to raise your hands!
On Sunday, April 27, 1997, the voters of Appenzell Ausser Rhoden raised their hands for the last time in Hundwil
Keystone
Twenty years ago today, the people of Appenzell Ausser Rhoden in eastern Switzerland decided to do away with their “open-air assembly” method of public voting. The tradition of gathering in public to take decisions for their community by a show of hands went back to the late Middle Ages.
The final open air assembly in Appenzell Ausser Rhoden was held on April 27, 1997. Five months later, on September 28, a ballot – actually using pieces of paper – was held on whether to keep or end the tradition of open-air voting. 54% said end it.
Open-air assemblies still take place for voting purposes in cantons Glarus and Appenzell Inner Rhoden.
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Citizens of the half canton Appenzell Inner Rhoden in eastern Switzerland are taking part in an open-air vote on local issues and to elect the local authorities. The “Landsgemeinde” dates back to the 14th century, and Appenzell Inner Rhoden is – along with Glarus – the last canton in the country to uphold the tradition.…
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The open air vote, known as the “Landsgemeinde”, is a tradition which dates back to the 14th century, and the only way to really understand its significance is to experience it at first hand. On this special Sunday the local train to Appenzell is unusually full, there is an atmosphere of excitement in the air,…
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