A referendum is a form of direct democracy, where voters are directly asked to vote on a particular policy or law. The term is most often used in relation to constitutional amendments, allowing citizens to ratify or reject government decisions.
The first step in the process of a referendum is to decide which issue should be put to a public vote. Typically, this is done by the legislature or executive. The Secretary of State (or similar authority) must then declare the question eligible for the ballot. There are a variety of different ways this can be done, such as setting participation quorum requirements, or adding the referendum question to an existing general election.
Once the question has been declared valid, it can be printed on a ballot and circulated. A referendum must receive a specific percentage of votes to pass, usually 50% plus one. Voters may also choose to use a method other than simple majority, such as two-round voting or Instant Runoff Voting.
In many countries, referendums are mandatory for all constitutional changes. They can also be optional, triggered either by the government (often after a signature requirement) or through a citizen initiative.
Supporters of referendums argue that, in an age where voter apathy and disenchantment with traditional forms of democratic representation are rising, they can help re-engage citizens with politics by creating a more direct link between the public will and the levers of power. They also argue that, where a political party is divided over an issue, holding a referendum can be a useful way to resolve the problem without fracturing the party. However, critics of referendums point to the potential for socially divisive campaigning and the legitimization of hate speech.