referendum

At least eight this year relate directly to the initiative and referendum process, an interesting split between raising requirements and protecting existing citizen rights.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 21, 2026

Some 60% of Quebecers voted to stay in Canada in a 1980 referendum, but the province returned to the polls in 1995.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 20, 2026

Smith called the vote in response to a grassroots group gathering about 300,000 signatures on a petition that asked for a binding referendum on separation.

From BBC ● Oct. 20, 2026

It was a decisive result in a referendum that could have strained the bonds of national unity.

From BBC ● Oct. 20, 2026

The suffragists complained that the referendum wasn’t binding, and the antis complained that they were expected to vote in order to show that they didn’t want the vote.

From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling

State referenda can be difficult to poll, but surveys say Maine on Tuesday might have a couple of squeakers.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 2, 2025

Berlin, Hamburg and the Ruhr region are also developing bids, with referenda to be held in 2026.

From Barron's ● Oct. 26, 2025

Such referenda are sometimes used to boost voter turnout, though results don’t carry the weight of law.

From Seattle Times ● May 14, 2023

Among the hundreds of referenda passed across the country in the midterm elections, voters in four states approved provisions making slavery and involuntary servitude unconstitutional.

From Washington Times ● Dec. 30, 2022

One county, Harding, adjacent to Wyoming, has been carried for woman suffrage in the six referenda on the question, the first one being held in 1890.

From Woman Suffrage By Federal Constitutional Amendment by Carrie Chapman Catt

They held two separation referendums, in 1980 and 1995, both of which were defeated by a close margin.

From BBC ● Oct. 20, 2026

McOsker said the change makes the number of signatures needed for referendums and voter initiatives consistent in the city charter.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026

According to the Washington Policy Center, the Washington Legislature Bill Drafting Guide says that a “necessity clause” or “emergency clause” protects legislation against voter referendums.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 11, 2026

Speaking of referendums, how about one to eliminate the State of the Union?

From Slate ● Feb. 24, 2026

On the ballot in November 1867, the men in Kansas faced two referendums, one that deleted the word “white” from the description of voters and a second that deleted the word “male.”

From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling