Written by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examโขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Definition
A referendum is a direct vote by citizens on a specific issue or proposal put forth by the government. It allows people to directly participate in decision-making processes.
Related terms
Representative Democracy: A form of government where citizens elect representatives who make decisions on their behalf.
Initiative Process: A process that allows citizens to propose new laws or changes to existing laws through petitions.