Landsgemeinde

The Landsgemeinde is one of the oldest and simplest forms of direct democracy in Switzerland. All registered electors are invited once a year to assemble in the open air to elect with a show of hands the government (Appenzell Inner Rhodes), and to vote on the constitution and laws or set tax levels (Appenzell Inner Rhodes and Glarus).

The Landsgemeinde used to be held in several other cantons, too – including Zug, Schwyz, Uri, Obwalden, Nidwalden and Appenzell Outer Rhodes.

Critics complained that secret ballots were impossible in this form of democracy.