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Our model suggests that national political, economic and cultural dimensions have to be taken into account when explaining support for European Union (EU) membership among the Swiss electorate. Using data from the first Eurobarometer survey in Switzerland (1999), we empirically test our model using structural equation modelling. We find that institutional attachment and `image' of neighbouring countries are strongly linked to the perception of threat to national interests, which in turn is a strong predictor of support for joining the EU. We also show that national identity, attachment to neutrality, as well as perceived economic gain or loss from EU membership are directly linked to attitudes towards EU membership.

Abstract. Referendums impose considerable informational demands on voters. Recent theoretical and empirical research has emphasized the different shortcuts and heuristics they may employ in deciding how to vote. Relying on a substantial series of votes at the national level in Switzerland, we provide empirical tests on how Swiss voters cope with the informational demands in referendum voting. We combine simple heuristics, like partisan cues and endorsements, with indicators of instrumental interests to explain citizens' choices in a series of votes.

Selects 2003 was financed by the Federal Chancellery, the Swiss Academy for the Human and Social Sciences SAGW, and the Swiss National Science Foundation.

Post-election Survey
A national telephone survey was conducted immediately after the October elections, and correspondent contextual data was collected. The survey included 5900 interviews, of which 2000 were from a national representative sample. In addition, the number of interviews was increased to 600 in the cantons of Zurich, Bern, Luzern, Schaffhausen, Aargau, Ticino, Vaud, and Geneva, allowing for the effects of the variety of the electoral systems, parties, as well as differences in the political culture between cantons, to be taken into account in the analysis of electoral behavior. Additional interviews were also conducted to ensure at least 30 respondents in smaller cantons.

Panel Study 1999-2003
In Selects 1999, a panel study was conducted in the cantons of Zurich, Luzern, and Geneva, so as to study the opinion formation processes during the campaign. In 2003, 898 of the 2048 respondents from the national sample of Selects 1999 were interviewed, which permitted, for the first time in Switzerland, to study the stability and change in individual opinion and behavior between elections.

Selects 2003 was financed by the Federal Chancellery, the Swiss Academy for the Human and Social Sciences SAGW, and the Swiss National Science Foundation.

Post-election Survey
A national telephone survey was conducted immediately after the October elections, and correspondent contextual data was collected. The survey included 5900 interviews, of which 2000 were from a national representative sample. In addition, the number of interviews was increased to 600 in the cantons of Zurich, Bern, Luzern, Schaffhausen, Aargau, Ticino, Vaud, and Geneva, allowing for the effects of the variety of the electoral systems, parties, as well as differences in the political culture between cantons, to be taken into account in the analysis of electoral behavior. Additional interviews were also conducted to ensure at least 30 respondents in smaller cantons.

Panel Study 1999-2003
In Selects 1999, a panel study was conducted in the cantons of Zurich, Luzern, and Geneva, so as to study the opinion formation processes during the campaign. In 2003, 898 of the 2048 respondents from the national sample of Selects 1999 were interviewed, which permitted, for the first time in Switzerland, to study the stability and change in individual opinion and behavior between elections.

Selects 2003 was financed by the Federal Chancellery, the Swiss Academy for the Human and Social Sciences SAGW, and the Swiss National Science Foundation.

Post-election Survey
A national telephone survey was conducted immediately after the October elections, and correspondent contextual data was collected. The survey included 5900 interviews, of which 2000 were from a national representative sample. In addition, the number of interviews was increased to 600 in the cantons of Zurich, Bern, Luzern, Schaffhausen, Aargau, Ticino, Vaud, and Geneva, allowing for the effects of the variety of the electoral systems, parties, as well as differences in the political culture between cantons, to be taken into account in the analysis of electoral behavior. Additional interviews were also conducted to ensure at least 30 respondents in smaller cantons.

Panel Study 1999-2003
In Selects 1999, a panel study was conducted in the cantons of Zurich, Luzern, and Geneva, so as to study the opinion formation processes during the campaign. In 2003, 898 of the 2048 respondents from the national sample of Selects 1999 were interviewed, which permitted, for the first time in Switzerland, to study the stability and change in individual opinion and behavior between elections.

Selects 2003 was financed by the Federal Chancellery, the Swiss Academy for the Human and Social Sciences SAGW, and the Swiss National Science Foundation.

Post-election Survey
A national telephone survey was conducted immediately after the October elections, and correspondent contextual data was collected. The survey included 5900 interviews, of which 2000 were from a national representative sample. In addition, the number of interviews was increased to 600 in the cantons of Zurich, Bern, Luzern, Schaffhausen, Aargau, Ticino, Vaud, and Geneva, allowing for the effects of the variety of the electoral systems, parties, as well as differences in the political culture between cantons, to be taken into account in the analysis of electoral behavior. Additional interviews were also conducted to ensure at least 30 respondents in smaller cantons.

Panel Study 1999-2003
In Selects 1999, a panel study was conducted in the cantons of Zurich, Luzern, and Geneva, so as to study the opinion formation processes during the campaign. In 2003, 898 of the 2048 respondents from the national sample of Selects 1999 were interviewed, which permitted, for the first time in Switzerland, to study the stability and change in individual opinion and behavior between elections.