A referendum is a direct vote by the electorate on a proposal, law, or political issue. It is a way for citizens to express their wishes with regard to government policy or proposed legislation. A referendum can result in the adoption of a new policy or specific law, or it may be only advisory. Referendums can be binding or advisory, and different names are used for these two types of referendums in some countries. Referendums can be classified by who initiates them, and they can be mandatory or optional, binding or consultative.
Referendums are an expression of direct democracy from a political-philosophical perspective, but they are used selectively in representative democracies. They tend to be used for issues such as changes in voting systems, where currently elected officials may not have the legitimacy or inclination to implement such changes.
Referendums can be initiated by citizens or the government. In a citizen-initiated referendum, a specific percentage of eligible voters or more should petition the government or electoral body for amendments to the legislature or specific articles within the law. These referendums are typically non-binding, which means the government doesn’t have to act on the outcome of the vote. In a government-initiated referendum, government authorities take the initiative to start a new referendum. This type of referendum is typically used to approve proposed constitutional changes into law.
Referendums are held in relation to issues of major political significance. They may be held in relation to particular circumstances or particular political issues. The terms used to define referendums may differ in different countries, and the most common types of referendums held in countries across the world are mandatory and optional referendums.
Examples of referendums include a vote to change the federal constitution in Australia, a vote on whether to join an international organization, and a vote on whether to legalize the possession and use of marijuana for anyone 21 and over.
