Topics
Several common themes run across the various Cantonal Chancelleries. While their areas of responsibility differ somewhat, they come together on key issues and major projects supported by the CCE-SSK. Regional differences are understandable, but at their core, all Cantonal Chancelleries share the same main responsibilities: the running of the Cantonal Government secretariat, external relations, the organisation of votes and elections, and the management of the state archives.
Cantonal Government Secretariat
From organising Cantonal Government meetings to managing events such as ambassadorial visits, one of the primary roles of the Cantonal Chancelleries is to provide the Cantonal Governments with administrative and strategic support. As far as their thematic expertise permits, the Cantonal Chancelleries endeavours to identify the current and future challenges facing their respective canton and brief the members of the Cantonal Government on these issues. They also play a central role in the organisation and coordination of the decision-making process.
LexFind
The cantonal legislative service, which is generally attached to the Cantonal Chancellery, is responsible for overseeing the uniformity and quality of cantonal legislation. Through this service, the Cantonal Chancelleries support government departments and agencies with the drafting and publication of legislative acts. To facilitate this work, the Swiss Conference of Cantonal Chancellors runs the LexFind search engine, which was implemented on behalf of the Conference of Cantonal Justice and Police Directors, in collaboration with the Institute of Federalism at the University of Fribourg. This digital tool makes it possible to access and search all official compilations of cantonal and federal legislation.
eVoting info
The Cantonal Chancelleries ensure that citizens can exercise their political rights, including their right to vote. The possibility of introducing eVoting has been the subject of much discussion in Switzerland for the last 20 years or so. The Federal Council has authorised the cantons of Basel-Stadt, St Gallen and Thurgau to conduct eVoting trials for a limited period only (2023–2025). As part of these trials, a limited number of eligible voters in these cantons were able to cast their vote online during the federal elections and the national referendum of 18 June 2023. The Federal Council has also given the green light for eVoting trials in the canton of Graubünden (2024–2026). More information on eVoting: evoting-info.ch
Votes and elections
In principle, the Cantonal Chancelleries are responsible for organising cantonal and federal votes and elections.
External relations
Most Cantonal Chancelleries are responsible for managing the Cantonal Government’s external relations. In certain instances, the administrative unit assigned this role reports directly to a government department. Tasks include supporting the Cantonal Government as regards its relations with other Cantonal Governments, the Federal Council and governments in other countries. The external relations unit represents the Cantonal Government at intercantonal conferences, and defends its interests before the Federal Parliament and the Confederation. It also briefs the Cantonal Government on all relevant intercantonal and federal matters.
Intercantonal comparisons
The members of the Swiss Conference of Cantonal Chancellors regularly send each other surveys to gather information on the practices adopted by other Cantonal Governments. This work is central to the functioning of the Swiss Conference of Cantonal Chancellors and was one of the motivations that led to its establishment in 1901.
E-Government
A programme of modernisation is under way in all of Switzerland’s public administrations. A particular focus of these efforts is eGovernment, or a ‘virtual front desk’ as it is commonly referred to in Switzerland. eGovernment enables the standardisation of electronic data entry. It also makes it possible to identify individuals who are in contact with the public administration and simplifies electronic communications with public services. The Cantonal Chancelleries are in the process of implementing eGovernment in their respective cantons.
Ristretto
Ristretto is a digital tool which monitors federal affairs. It was launched in September 2019 and replaced Mocca. The project was led by the Conference of Cantonal Governments, of which the Swiss Conference of Cantonal Chancellors is a member. Ristretto enables the Conferences and Cantons to defend their interests at federal level. It also facilitates collaboration between the Conferences and the Cantons, improves information flows, ensures coordination within the Maison des cantons/ Haus der Kantone and generates data for use by the federalism monitoring programme.
Government communication
The Cantonal Chancelleries are also responsible for engaging with the public and the media. As part of this work, they publish press releases and inform citizens of Cantonal Government decisions that affect them.