The principle or practice of referring measures passed upon by the legislative body to the body of voters, or electorate, for approval or rejection, as in the Swiss cantons (except Freiburg) and in various local governments in the United States, and also in the local option laws, etc.; also, the right to so approve or reject laws, or the vote by which this is done. Referendum is distinguished from the mandate, or instruction of representatives by the people, from direct government by the people, in which they initiate and make the laws by direct action without representation, and from a plebiscite, or popular vote taken on any measure proposed by a person or body having the initiative but not constituting a representative or constituent body.
a national or local vote on a single issue. Most U.S. states require referendums on amendments to the state constitution.
A vote by the citizens authorizing the implementation of a transportation system or taxes to pay for the system. One example is Duval County citizens voted to approve the Better Jacksonville Plan that will build/repair roads and plan for a future rapid transit system.
A vote held under the Referendum Act to measure public opinion on a matter of public interest or concern. The Referendum Act provides for the Lieutenant Governor in Council to make regulations regarding the manner by which a referendum is conducted.
A ballot measure challenging a legislative action by the city council or county board of supervisors. When sufficient voter signatures are filed before the council or board action becomes final, the council or board must either set aside its action or call an election on the matter. Use permits, variances, and subdivisions cannot be challenged by referendum.
A ballot measure challenging a legislative action by the city council or county board of supervisors. Referenda petitions must be filed before the action becomes final and may lead to an election on the matter. The California Constitution guarantees the right to referendum.
When an existing stature is to be repealed or approved, the referendum is the process followed to do so.
A method by which a measure adopted by the Legislature may be submitted to popular vote.
In agriculture, referendum generally refers to a vote by farmers on whether to approve or disapprove a farm program, such as mandatory production or marketing controls, assessments for generic commodity promotion, or marketing orders.
A ballot measure that is usually "referred" by the legislature and placed on the ballot for voters to approve or reject
the power of the people, through the petition process, to repeal or amend any act or part of an act of the Legislature.
A vote taken to allow electors to have their say on an issue or policy. The proposal must be approved by a majority of electors in the ACT (not a majority of voters).
A direct vote by which the electorate can decide issues of public policy put to it by its government. After the National Convention* of 1946-48, the government asked Newfoundlanders to decide their political future by this means. In the first referendum (3 June 1948), Newfoundlanders voted for one of three forms of government-- continued Commission of Government*; Responsible Government* as it existed in 1933, or confederation* with Canada. Neither option received a majority of votes. In the second referendum, (22 July 1948), only two options were on the ballot--confederation and responsible government. Confederation won with 52 percent of the vote.
Each candidate country will hold a referendum to check whether the majority of its citizens are in favour of their country joining the EU. The referendum is not binding in all countries, including Malta. While the Maltese Nationalist Government says it will bind by its result, the Opposition Labour Party insists that he will only stick to the result of a general election.
the referral of a measure proposed or passed by a legislative body to the voters for approval or rejection.
The submission of a change in how the marketing order or marketing area to the producers for approval. In California, referendums are only required by major amendments to the Plans. In federal milk market orders, producers are given the opportunity to vote for or against an amended order after issuance of a formal decision. A two–thirds majority is necessary for approval. Rejection applies to the amended order in its entirety, not just the amendments.
A form of direct democracy in which citizens of a state, through gathering signatures, can require that a legislative act come before the people as a whole for a vote. The process also allows the legislature to send any proposal for law to the people for a vote.
The power of the registered voters, under certain conditions, to petition an act of the last General Assembly (with certain exceptions) for approval or disapproval at the next General Election.
when a law or constitutional amendment passed by a state legislature must be approved by voters before taking effect.
The submission of a law, proposed by the Legislature or already in effect, to a direct vote of the people. In Oregon, both houses of the Legislature must vote to refer a statute or constitutional amendment for a popular vote. Such referrals cannot be vetoed by the governor. In addition, to place a referendum on the ballot, supporters must obtain a specified number of signatures from registered voters. The number required is determined by a fixed percentage of the votes cast for all candidates for governor at the general election preceding the filing of the petition. Referendum petitions require four percent, currently 44,524 signatures. (See also: Initiative)
A proposal to alter the Constitution put to the vote. The Australian Constitution can only be altered by a majority of electors in a majority of States passing the proposed amendment.
A special election held on a specific important matter, like the 1960 referendum on whether or not South Africa should become a republic; or the one in 1992 where white South Africans had to say whether or not black South Africans should be granted voting rights. In such a referendum, the voters just vote 'yes' or 'no' to the specific question.
A binding vote of the whole country on a single issue.
A direct vote in which an entire electorate accepts or rejects a proposal. The term is similar to plebiscite but, unlike the latter, is usually used to describe decision-making votes on things of lesser importance than a change of sovereignty – for instance, constitutional amendments, laws or specific government policies. Although they can be seen as a form of direct democracy, many politicians believe that referendums undermine the basis of representative democracy.
a legislative act is referred for final approval to a popular vote by the electorate
a ballot measure challenging legislation that has been enacted by the legislature and signed by the governor
a ballot measure that permits voters to determine whether a bill enacted by the state or local legislative body should become law
a costly and time-consuming process that defeats the purpose of the democratic election process by which councils have been created in the first place
a crude device, but in reality, if the constitution promotes the nuclear industry, then a majority of Irish people will certainly reject it
a decision taken by the people (the electorate) rather than parliament on a particular proposed law
a form of direct democracy, as is the practice of recall, by which an elected offical may be voted out of office between elections if enough people sign a petition to remove him and then win the subsequent vote
a handy vehicle for a protest vote against the government or politicians generally
a high bar for constitutional change
a levy that must be approved by the voters
a nationwide poll held for the purpose of identifying public opinion through voting
an instrument by which the Council can measure student opinion on an issue by placing the issue in ballot form before members of the Student Bar Association
a process provided in the City Charter by which any ordinance passed by the City Council, except emergency ordinances, can be voted on by the voters of Kansas City
a vote by the entire electorate on a specific issue put to it by a government or similar body
a vote in which the electorate can express a view on a particular issue of public policy
a voter-sponsored REJECTION, pursuant to the California State Constitution, of a law enacted by the legislature
a vote taken by the people to say yes or no to something the Government wants to do
a yes/no vote which determines people's opinions
A referendum is a proposal placed on the ballot for consideration by the voters.
When the government allows the electorate to vote directly on an issue of public importance.
A public vote on an issue.
a decision-making exercise in direct democracy whereby citizens are asked at least to vote "yes" or "no" to a question in the form of a ballot. The results of a referendum may or may not be binding on a government.
A measure referred to voters by a state legislature proposing that specific legislation be approved or rejected. Oftentimes, the terms "ballot initiative," "referendum" and "proposition" are used interchangeably.
The method by which a measure adopted by the Legislature may be submitted to the electorate for a vote.
A vote of the citizen electors.
a legal process by which voters are allowed to make important political decisions; not a great idea, in general
a special Town-wide vote on a question.
A measure referred to voters by a state legislature proposing that specific legislation be approved or rejected. Oftentimes, the terms Referendum, Proposition and Ballot initiative are used interchangeably.
People's verdict on some constitutional amendment and some other legislative issue of controversial nature.
The principle or practice of referring measures proposed or passed by a legislative body to the vote of the electorate for approval or rejection.
Submission of a question to decision by the electorate.
In relation to agricultural policy, a referendum involves a vote by producers of a specific commodity for a proposed program that will obligate all producers to participate in the program if a specified percentage of producers favor it.
A voting procedure conducted by government to get an answer to a particular question from members of the public• Government's Rights
also called a ballot measure, initiative or proposition. A ballot initiative is a proposed piece of legislation (a law) that people can vote on.
A method by which a measure adopted by the legislature may be submitted to the voters.
a vote of all enrolled electors on some matter, which may be held in conjunction with a general election or at some other time. See also: binding referendum, citizens initiated referendum, indicative referendum, use of referendums, table of referendum results
when a measure adopted by the Legislature is submitted to the people for a vote
All electors voting on a specific issue; under Section 128, the Australian Constitution can only be altered by referendum where a majority of voters in a majority of States and Territories, as well as a majority of voters across the nation, agree to the change
the submitting of any matter to a direct vote by all the electorate for approval or rejection.
a process for gaining the approval of the majority of electors for a particular proposal. In Australia, a referendum is the only means by which the words of the Australian Constitution can be changed
the legal process of submitting to the voters proposed state laws, local policies or constitutional amendments for their approval or rejection.
The submission of a proposed public measure or actual statute to a direct popular vote.
A law or policy that is voted on directly by the people - the general votes decide whether it will pass or fail.
a decision-making mechanism of direct democracy whereby citizens, are asked to vote, at a minimum, "yes" or "no" to a question in the form of a ballot. The result of the referendum vote may or may not be binding on a government or legislature.
a direct vote by the people on an issue of public policy.
A vote taken to allow electors to have their say on an issue. A national referendum must be held to implement any change to the Federal Constitution. A proposal must pass all readings and then be approved by a majority in both Houses of Parliament prior to being put to the people in a referendum. The proposal must then be approved by a majority of voters in a majority of States in a national referendum.
Popular vote on proposals that may be initiated by the people (See “INITIATIVE” and “PEOPLES' VETO.”) or by the Legislature. Referenda may be binding or advisory, statewide or restricted to a lower level of government.
a vote by all voters on a particular question(s). In Australia it is nearly always a public vote on a proposed law to change the Constitution.
A referendum is the submission of a law, proposed or already in effect, to a direct popular vote for approval or rejection.
A referendum (plural: 'referenda') or plebiscite (from Latin plebiscita, originally a decree of the Concilium Plebis) is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a particular proposal. This may be the adoption of a new constitution, a constitutional amendment, a law, the recall of an elected official or simply a specific government policy. The referendum or plebiscite is a form of direct democracy.