Referendum

(Top to bottom):
Ballots for the 2016 Ivorian constitutional referendum; Flyer for a 1971 Seattle referendum; The 1946 referendum in Italy deciding on republic or monarchy.

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Direct democracy
Referendum types Optional referendum Legislative referral Popular initiative Recall referendum Popular referendum Mandatory referendum
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Referendums by method E-referendum
History of direct democracy Athenian democracy in USA
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A referendum (pl.: referendums or less commonly referenda) is a direct vote by the electorate on a proposal, law, or political issue. This is in contrast to an issue being voted on by a representative. This may result in the adoption of a new policy or specific law, or the referendum may be only advisory. In some countries, it is synonymous with and also known as plebiscite, votation, popular consultation, ballot question, ballot measure, or proposition.

Some definitions of 'plebiscite' suggest it is a type of vote to change the constitution or government of a country.^[1] The word, 'referendum' is often a catchall, used for both legislative referrals and initiatives.