Referendum
noun
A public vote on a particular issue.
The government held a referendum on the issue of independence.
Often appears as...
- national referendum
- hold a referendum
noun
A method of direct democracy and citizen engagement.
In some countries, referendums are often used as a way of ensuring public participation in decision-making.
Often appears as...
- constitutional referendum
- local referendum
Usage tips
Approving
noun
A public vote on a particular issue.
The government held a referendum on the issue of independence.
Often appears as...
- national referendum
- hold a referendum
noun
A method of direct democracy and citizen engagement.
In some countries, referendums are often used as a way of ensuring public participation in decision-making.
Often appears as...
- constitutional referendum
- local referendum
Usage tips
Approving
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Not Always Binding
Some referendums are advisory rather than mandatory; their results suggest rather than dictate outcomes.
The Brexit referendum was intended to gauge public opinion but was treated as binding by the government.
Pro Tip 2/3Public Involvement
Referendums often involve high levels of public campaign activity and media coverage to inform voters.
Before the referendum, both sides used social media to mobilize supporters.
Pro Tip 3/3Single Issue Focus
Referendums usually focus on a single issue or decision, unlike elections which cover many topics.
The 1995 Quebec referendum focused solely on the question of Quebec's independence from Canada.
Pro Tip 1/3Not Always Binding
Some referendums are advisory rather than mandatory; their results suggest rather than dictate outcomes.
The Brexit referendum was intended to gauge public opinion but was treated as binding by the government.
Pro Tip 2/3Public Involvement
Referendums often involve high levels of public campaign activity and media coverage to inform voters.
Before the referendum, both sides used social media to mobilize supporters.
Pro Tip 3/3Single Issue Focus
Referendums usually focus on a single issue or decision, unlike elections which cover many topics.
The 1995 Quebec referendum focused solely on the question of Quebec's independence from Canada.
Pro Tip 1/3Not Always Binding
Some referendums are advisory rather than mandatory; their results suggest rather than dictate outcomes.
The Brexit referendum was intended to gauge public opinion but was treated as binding by the government.
Pro Tip 2/3Public Involvement
Referendums often involve high levels of public campaign activity and media coverage to inform voters.
Before the referendum, both sides used social media to mobilize supporters.
Pro Tip 3/3Single Issue Focus
Referendums usually focus on a single issue or decision, unlike elections which cover many topics.
The 1995 Quebec referendum focused solely on the question of Quebec's independence from Canada.
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Video examples
We need to talk about an...
so you heard and saw an obvious desire by this audience this community to help you on your way and to do something on this issue other than writing a check what what could we do well there are opportunities all around us if you live in the state of California for example there is a referendum coming up this
Video examples
Bryan Stevenson: We need...
an obvious desire by this audience, this community, to help you on your way and to do something on this issue. Other than writing a check, what could we do? Well, there are opportunities all around us. If you live in the state of California, for example, there's a referendum coming up this spring
Video examples
"Where Love Is Illegal":...
to raise awareness, that it couldn't just be to illustrate an article alone. I was determined that it would make a difference, and I started this work on mental health in South Sudan. I went there to cover a referendum for independence, and came away with a story about a country,
Video examples
Our loss of wisdom -...
about 15 years ago they were trying to decide where to cite nuclear waste dumps there was going to be a national referendum and some psychologists went around and polled citizens who were very well informed and they said would you be willing to have a nuclear waste dump in
Video examples
What's needed to bring...
there are literally over 100 different people and referenda for me to make decisions about. We have to be using the best tools we can bring to bear to help voters navigate this complexity, and right now, we're not. One of the most common narratives I hear in my work
Video examples
Kevin J. Krizek: How...
billion dollars in an unprecedented bond referendum a nice chunk of which is going to just transform streets for active mobility and safety hundreds of low-cost high-impact projects are going to help build out a new bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure
Video examples
Ilona Szabó de Carvalho:...
and thought that this could help us win the referendum to ban gun sales to civilians. But we were dead wrong. During a televised 20-day public debate, our opponent used our own arguments against us. We ended up losing the popular vote.
Video examples
The big impact of small...
people from 72 countries here so most of them are not inside us in the London anymore debate but you know earlier this year you laid out a plan a roadmap towards independence of Scotland including a referendum at the end of
Video examples
George Papandreou:...
When riot police have to protect parliaments, a scene which is increasingly common around the world, then there's something deeply wrong with our democracies. That's why I called for a referendum to have the Greek people
Video examples
Should you trust...
In other cases, systematic errors arise through deliberate fraud, like the presidential referendum held by Saddam Hussein in 2002,
Video examples
We need to talk about an...
so you heard and saw an obvious desire by this audience this community to help you on your way and to do something on this issue other than writing a check what what could we do well there are opportunities all around us if you live in the state of California for example there is a referendum coming up this
Video examples
Bryan Stevenson: We need...
an obvious desire by this audience, this community, to help you on your way and to do something on this issue. Other than writing a check, what could we do? Well, there are opportunities all around us. If you live in the state of California, for example, there's a referendum coming up this spring
Video examples
"Where Love Is Illegal":...
to raise awareness, that it couldn't just be to illustrate an article alone. I was determined that it would make a difference, and I started this work on mental health in South Sudan. I went there to cover a referendum for independence, and came away with a story about a country,
Video examples
Our loss of wisdom -...
about 15 years ago they were trying to decide where to cite nuclear waste dumps there was going to be a national referendum and some psychologists went around and polled citizens who were very well informed and they said would you be willing to have a nuclear waste dump in
Video examples
What's needed to bring...
there are literally over 100 different people and referenda for me to make decisions about. We have to be using the best tools we can bring to bear to help voters navigate this complexity, and right now, we're not. One of the most common narratives I hear in my work
Video examples
Kevin J. Krizek: How...
billion dollars in an unprecedented bond referendum a nice chunk of which is going to just transform streets for active mobility and safety hundreds of low-cost high-impact projects are going to help build out a new bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure
Video examples
Ilona Szabó de Carvalho:...
and thought that this could help us win the referendum to ban gun sales to civilians. But we were dead wrong. During a televised 20-day public debate, our opponent used our own arguments against us. We ended up losing the popular vote.
Video examples
The big impact of small...
people from 72 countries here so most of them are not inside us in the London anymore debate but you know earlier this year you laid out a plan a roadmap towards independence of Scotland including a referendum at the end of
Video examples
George Papandreou:...
When riot police have to protect parliaments, a scene which is increasingly common around the world, then there's something deeply wrong with our democracies. That's why I called for a referendum to have the Greek people
Video examples
Should you trust...
In other cases, systematic errors arise through deliberate fraud, like the presidential referendum held by Saddam Hussein in 2002,
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Ed Miliband
British Politician
Remember, I'm the guy who didn't want the referendum - I wouldn't have had it if I'd been prime minister. But you have to respect how people voted because this was partly about political alienation, so if the response to political alienation is to ignore it, that's a recipe for more political alienation.
Quote examples
David Gauke
British Politician
There are tradeoffs between independence and co-operation, between regulatory autonomy and market access. This means that compromises are necessary to deliver a pragmatic Brexit that protects jobs and living standards while respecting the referendum result.
Quote examples
Roger Stone
American Politician
I do a lot of referendums. They can't talk back. They don't have wives. They don't have friends who tell you how to run the campaign. They are supported by special interests, so there's a lot of money in them.
Quote examples
Andrea Leadsom
British Politician
The E.U. referendum didn't cause divisions, but it certainly did reveal them. Many people are shocked at the result, but they really shouldn't be. What I would like to say to them is, please, don't be afraid.
Quote examples
John Redwood
British Politician
The E.U. referendum is a major watershed in U.K. history. It will be important for the future of the Conservative party. It will be even more important for the future of our country.
Quote examples
George Osborne
British Politician
Did I want Britain to remain in the E.U.? Yes. Did I fear the consequences if we quit? Yes. Did I argue passionately for that during the referendum? Absolutely I did.
Quote examples
Francesca Hayward
English Dancer
Since the E.U. referendum I've been keen to know more and be a bit more active. It highlighted how important politics is to our lives.
Quote examples
Alan Dershowitz
American Lawyer
My goal is always to keep support for Israel a bi-partisan issue and never make a national election any kind of referendum on Israel.
Quote examples
Nigel Farage
British Politician
Maybe this will be the beginning of a trend? Flat taxes, cutting foreign aid, a referendum on Europe, grammar schools. Who knows?
Quote examples
Matteo Salvini
Italian Politician
On principle, I always support the opinion of a population who express themselves through a referendum.
Quote examples
Ed Miliband
British Politician
Remember, I'm the guy who didn't want the referendum - I wouldn't have had it if I'd been prime minister. But you have to respect how people voted because this was partly about political alienation, so if the response to political alienation is to ignore it, that's a recipe for more political alienation.
Quote examples
David Gauke
British Politician
There are tradeoffs between independence and co-operation, between regulatory autonomy and market access. This means that compromises are necessary to deliver a pragmatic Brexit that protects jobs and living standards while respecting the referendum result.
Quote examples
Roger Stone
American Politician
I do a lot of referendums. They can't talk back. They don't have wives. They don't have friends who tell you how to run the campaign. They are supported by special interests, so there's a lot of money in them.
Quote examples
Andrea Leadsom
British Politician
The E.U. referendum didn't cause divisions, but it certainly did reveal them. Many people are shocked at the result, but they really shouldn't be. What I would like to say to them is, please, don't be afraid.
Quote examples
John Redwood
British Politician
The E.U. referendum is a major watershed in U.K. history. It will be important for the future of the Conservative party. It will be even more important for the future of our country.
Quote examples
George Osborne
British Politician
Did I want Britain to remain in the E.U.? Yes. Did I fear the consequences if we quit? Yes. Did I argue passionately for that during the referendum? Absolutely I did.
Quote examples
Francesca Hayward
English Dancer
Since the E.U. referendum I've been keen to know more and be a bit more active. It highlighted how important politics is to our lives.
Quote examples
Alan Dershowitz
American Lawyer
My goal is always to keep support for Israel a bi-partisan issue and never make a national election any kind of referendum on Israel.
Quote examples
Nigel Farage
British Politician
Maybe this will be the beginning of a trend? Flat taxes, cutting foreign aid, a referendum on Europe, grammar schools. Who knows?
Quote examples
Matteo Salvini
Italian Politician
On principle, I always support the opinion of a population who express themselves through a referendum.
Example 1 of 10
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