Popular referendum

{{Update section|date=December 2018 }}

Thirty countries allow for referendum initiated by the population on the national level[https://www.direct-democracy-navigator.org/democratic_instruments/popular-or-citizens-initiative/legal_designs Popular or citizens initiative: Legal Designs]

In Europe the popular referendum (commonly known as abrogative referendum) was first introduced in Switzerland in St. Gallen canton in 1831, and was introduced to the whole country known as the optional referendum.{{in lang|pl}} [http://pedrou.w.interia.pl/demokracja.htm Demokracja bezpośrednia i semibezpośrednia] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150806000516/http://pedrou.w.interia.pl/demokracja.htm |date=2015-08-06 }} It now exists in Albania,Pierre Garrone, [http://www.stjornarskra.is/media/stjornarskra/PG_speech_rev.pdf Referenda in Europe] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722022115/http://www.stjornarskra.is/media/stjornarskra/PG_speech_rev.pdf |date=2011-07-22 }}, Council of Europe[http://www.venice.coe.int/docs/2005/CDL-EL(2005)020prov-e.asp Study on Referendum] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130117092612/http://www.venice.coe.int/docs/2005/CDL-EL(2005)020prov-e.asp |date=2013-01-17 }}, European Commission for Democracy Through Law (Venice Commission) Denmark (since 1953), Italy (since 1970), Malta, Russia and Switzerland (since 1874). {{cite book | last = Venice Commission | author-link = Venice Commission | title = Referendums in Europe - an analysis of the legal rules in European States | url = http://www.venice.coe.int/webforms/documents/default.aspx?pdffile=CDL-AD(2005)034-e | id = CDL–AD(2005)034 | publisher = European Commission for Democracy through Law | date = 20 October 2005 }} Report adopted by the Council for Democratic Elections at its 14th meeting.

In 1975, the United Kingdom held its first EU membership referendum, where 67.2% voted to remain in the European Economic Community, reaffirming the UK’s place in Europe.{{Cite news |date=1975-04-26 |title=1975: Labour votes to leave the EEC |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/april/26/newsid_2503000/2503155.stm |access-date=2024-12-02 |language=en-GB}}

In 2005, France held a referendum on the proposed European Constitution, which was rejected by 54.7% of voters, significantly impacting the EU’s plans for deeper integration.{{Cite web |date=2005-03-02 |title=EUbusiness - French lawmakers vote opens way for referendum on EU constitution |url=http://www.eubusiness.com/afp/050228152840.k0qnri6d |access-date=2024-12-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050302005428/http://www.eubusiness.com/afp/050228152840.k0qnri6d |archive-date=2 March 2005 }}

In 2014, Scotland held an independence referendum, with 55.3% voting to remain part of the United Kingdom, maintaining the union between Scotland and the rest of the UK.{{Cite web |last=graphitas |date=2014-09-19 |title=How Scotland voted, and why |url=https://lordashcroftpolls.com/2014/09/scotland-voted/ |access-date=2024-12-02 |website=Lord Ashcroft Polls |language=en-US}}

In 1988, Chile held a national plebiscite where voters rejected extending General Augusto Pinochet's rule for another eight years, paving the way for democratic elections and ending the dictatorship.{{Cite news |date=2012-09-12 |title=Chile court confirms Salvador Allende committed suicide |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-19567445 |access-date=2024-12-02 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}

In 1999, Venezuela held a constitutional referendum under President Hugo Chávez, resulting in the approval of a new constitution that expanded presidential powers and altered the political structure of the country.{{Cite news |date=2007-11-30 |title=Q&A: Venezuela's referendum |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7119371.stm |access-date=2024-12-02 |language=en-GB}}

In 2016, Colombia held a peace agreement referendum aimed at ending decades of conflict with FARC guerrillas. The agreement was narrowly rejected, leading to further negotiations.{{Cite news |date=2016-10-02 |title=Colombia referendum: Voters reject Farc peace deal |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-37537252 |access-date=2024-12-02 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}

In 2019, Cuba held a constitutional referendum that adopted a new constitution recognizing private property and introducing presidential term limits, marking significant shifts in its socialist framework.{{Cite news |date=2018-07-15 |title=Cuba to recognise private property under new constitution |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-44836358 |access-date=2024-12-02 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}

{{main|Initiatives and referendums in the United States}}

In the United States, such a process exists, as of May 2009, in 23 states and one territory: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming and the U.S. Virgin Islands.[http://www.ballot.org/page/-/ballot.org/maps/Initiative%20states.pdf States that allow for the Ballot Initiative Process] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723110403/http://www.ballot.org/page/-/ballot.org/maps/Initiative%20states.pdf |date=2011-07-23 }}, ballot.org[http://www.ncsl.org/Default.aspx?TabId=16589 Initiative and Referendum States] The popular referendum was first introduced in the United States by South Dakota in 1898,Arthur N. Holcombe, State Government in the United States, Read Books, 2007, {{ISBN|1-4067-7154-6}}, [https://books.google.com/books?id=M2NgAj4nFOwC&dq=%22popular+referendum%22&pg=PA538 Google Print, p.141] and first used in the United States in 1906, in Oregon, two years after the initiative was used (in 1904, also in Oregon).Arthur N. Holcombe, State Government in the United States, Read Books, 2007, {{ISBN|1-4067-7154-6}}, [https://books.google.com/books?id=M2NgAj4nFOwC&dq=%22popular+referendum%22&pg=PA538 Google Print, p.529]

In 1992, South Africa held a historic referendum in which white voters supported ending apartheid, paving the way for democratic reforms and multiracial governance in the country.{{Cite journal |last=Strauss |first=Annette |date=June 1993 |title=The 1992 Referendum in South Africa |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-modern-african-studies/article/abs/1992-referendum-in-south-africa/8061F89B59C97428629DE9624F7DF35D |journal=The Journal of Modern African Studies |language=en |volume=31 |issue=2 |pages=339–360 |doi=10.1017/S0022278X00011964 |issn=1469-7777|url-access=subscription }}

In 2011, South Sudan held a historic independence referendum where an overwhelming majority voted for secession from Sudan, leading to the creation of the Republic of South Sudan as a sovereign nation.{{Cite news |date=2011-01-30 |title=South Sudan referendum: 99% vote for independence |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-12317927 |access-date=2024-12-02 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}

In 2015, Rwanda held a constitutional referendum that allowed President Paul Kagame to potentially remain in power until 2034, raising debates about the balance between stability and democratic principles.{{Cite news |date=2015-12-09 |title=Paul Kagame's third term: Rwanda referendum on 18 December |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-35049885 |access-date=2024-12-02 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}

In 2023, the Central African Republic held a referendum on constitutional changes potentially allowing President Faustin-Archange Touadéra to extend his time in office, a move that raised concerns about democratic backsliding.{{Cite web |date=2023-06-05 |title=Central African Republic: Referendum Poses Risks {{!}} Human Rights Watch |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/06/05/central-african-republic-referendum-poses-risks |access-date=2024-10-30 |language=en}}

• Initiative
• Legislative referral
• Recall election

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Category:Direct democracy

Category:Referendums