Four referendums were held in Switzerland during 1949.[1] The first two were held on 22 May on revising article 39 of the federal constitution concerning the Swiss National Bank and a federal law amending a 1928 law on measures against tuberculosis, with both rejected by voters.[1] The third was held on 11 September on a popular initiative "for the recurrence to direct democracy" and was narrowly approved.[1] The final one was held on 11 December on a federal law to amend the employment status of federal civil servants, and was also approved.[1]
The referendum on revising the constitution was a mandatory referendum.[1] Together with the popular initiative, both required a double majority; a majority of the popular vote and majority of the cantons.[2] The decision of each canton was based on the vote in that canton.[2] Full cantons counted as one vote, whilst half cantons counted as half.[2] The referendums on federal laws on tuberculosis and civil servants were both optional referendums,[1] which required only a simple majority of votes in favour.[1]