In addition to the anti-immigration vote next month - the people are also being asked if it should be harder for those serving in the military to move into civil protection.
Parliament has already approved the law change, but detractors have forced it to a referendum.
The new rules mean that those who wish to leave the army will have to do more days in the civil sector.
The government hopes it will cut those leaving by as much as 40% to make sure the army maintains the legal number of active soldiers.
But others warn it could mean care homes and other socially important institutions will lose staff.
Last year a third of those who had completed military basic training left the army for civil care.
Heat to stay for now
Growing anger over World Cup red card
Fire damages trees in the Jardin Anglais
Cows sweltering in the heat
Lake Geneva nudists fight for their lake section
Holiday makers seek more than the sun
