The Political Rights Act (PRA) (, , ), is a Swiss federal law that regulates the exercise of political rights (votations and elections) in Switzerland. The law was adopted on 17 December 1976 by the Federal Assembly and came into force on 1 July 1978.

The PRA outlines the rights of Swiss citizens with regard to political participation at the federal level. It covers various aspects of the political process, including referendums, popular initiatives, and the election of the national council. The act doesn't apply to cantonal and communal votes, which are governed by cantonal laws. However, the act delegates the conduct of federal votes to cantons and communes (e.g., voters registration, counting of votes, appeals).

The PRA complements and details the provisions established in the Swiss constitution (title 4 and 5).

Previous laws 
When introduced in 1978, the law replaced six former federal laws:

 Federal law on federal elections and votes (19 July 1872, RS 161.1) ()
 Federal law concerning popular votes on federal laws and decrees (17 June 1874; RS 162.2) ()
 Federal law concerning the election of the National Council (14 February 1919; RS 263.2) ()
 Federal law on the procedure for popular initiatives concerning the revision of the constitution (23 March 1962; RS 162.1) ()
 Federal law on the distribution of deputies to the National Council among the cantons (8 March 1963; RS 163.1) ()
 Federal law establishing facilities for federal votes and elections (25 June 1965; RS 161.2) ()

See also 

 Voting in Switzerland

References

External links 

 Official text (read online)

Law of Switzerland
Swiss Federal Acts