Referendum is a direct vote on a specific issue, in contrast to votes cast at elections which generally reflect voters’ preferences over a range of different issues. It is most often applied in relation to particular circumstances, such as whether or not to amend a country’s constitution or to join international organisations.
A referendum is usually initiated by either the government or the legislature, although it may also be a citizens’ initiative. Its scope is typically defined in terms of the kind of change that is being proposed, the conditions under which it can be held and the scope of the questions that are to be included. The number of options that voters are presented with on the ballot is another key feature, as are the procedures for campaigning for and against the proposal.
Frequently, the kinds of issues that are put to voters in referendums are ones with which they are unfamiliar until they have to decide on them. This presents voters with a challenge, and surveys regularly show that lack of information is one of the main complaints of citizens who have taken part in referendums.
The timing of a referendum is an important factor too. Opponents of referendum argue that if the executive is allowed to decide when referendums are held, they can be used as political tools, serving the agenda of the governing party and depriving the public of its right to express its views on political decisions.
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