The Political Rights Act (PRA), federal act on political rights, 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).
When introduced in 1978, the law replaced six former federal laws: