Popular referendum

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Direct democracy
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A popular referendum, depending on jurisdiction also known as a citizens' veto, people's veto, veto referendum, citizen referendum, abrogative referendum, rejective referendum, suspensive referendum, and statute referendum, [1] [2] [3] is a type of a referendum that provides a means by which a petition signed by a certain minimum number of registered voters can force a public vote (plebiscite) on an existing statute, constitutional amendment, charter amendment, or ordinance; in its minimal form, it simply obliges the executive or legislative bodies to consider the subject by submitting it to the order of the day. [4] [5] It is a form of direct democracy. [6]

Contents

Unlike a popular initiative or legislative referendum that allows voters to suggest new legislation, a popular referendum allows them to suggest repealing existing legislation. [4] [5] As with an initiative, a popular referendum is held after a given number of signatures supporting it have been submitted to the authorities; in some cases, such a referendum may also be initiated by regional authorities. [3] [6] Depending on local legislation, the popular referendum may be implemented only in a short window of time after the legislation has been passed; in others it may be used to defeat any existing legislation. [3] [7] [8] Specific details on the applicable procedure such as the number of signatures, whether there is a time limit and its duration on when the popular referendum may be passed, and the body to which they must be submitted vary from country to country, and in the United States from state to state.

Supporters of the popular referendum point out that it is a safeguard against special interests taking over, and protects the rights of minorities. [2] [6] Critics point out that popular referendums have a higher voter turnout by people who have strong feelings about the issue at hand, and as such, it empowers special interests. [6]

Worldwide implementation

Europe

Thirty countries allow for referendum initiated by the population on the national level [9] 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. [10] It now exists in Albania, [11] [12] Denmark (since 1953), [2] Italy (since 1970), [2] [11] [12] Malta, [11] [12] Russia [11] [12] and Switzerland (since 1874). [2] [13]

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. [14]

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. [15]

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. [16]

Latin America

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. [17]

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. [18]

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. [19]

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. [20]

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. [4] [21] [22] The popular referendum was first introduced in the United States by South Dakota in 1898, [23] and first used in the United States in 1906, in Oregon, two years after the initiative was used (in 1904, also in Oregon). [24]

Africa

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. [25]

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. [26]

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. [27]

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. [28]

See also

Related Research Articles

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In the politics of the United States, the process of initiatives and referendums allow citizens of many U.S. states to place legislation on the ballot for a referendum or popular vote, either enacting new legislation, or voting down existing legislation. Citizens, or an organization, might start a popular initiative to gather a predetermined number of signatures to qualify the measure for the ballot. The measure is placed on the ballot for the referendum, or actual vote.

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A constitutional referendum was held in Rwanda on 18 December 2015. Rwandans living abroad voted on 17 December. The amendments to the constitution would allow President Paul Kagame to run for a third term in office in 2017, as well as shortening presidential terms from seven to five years, although the latter change would not come into effect until 2024. They were approved by around 98% of voters.

Federal referendums were held in Switzerland on 7 March, 13 June, 26 September, and 28 November 2021. Swiss referendums take three forms: popular initiatives, which are citizen proposals to create a new law and require 100,000 valid signatures on a petition to get on the ballot; facultative or optional referendums, which are citizen proposals to approve or reject a piece of existing law and require 50,000 valid signatures on a petition to get on the ballot; and mandatory referendums, which are required to revise the constitution, join an international organisation or introduce emergency federal legislation for over a year.

References

  1. ↑ Initiative Process Archived 2010-03-09 at the Wayback Machine , ballot.org
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Setälä, Maija (December 1999). "Referendums in Western Europe – a wave of direct democracy?". Scandinavian Political Studies . 22 (4): 327–340. doi: 10.1111/1467-9477.00022 . Full text.
  3. 1 2 3 Maija Setälä, Referendum, Agenda-Setting and Models of Democracy: Majority Rule in Different Models of Democracy
  4. 1 2 3 Initiative, Referendum and Recall, NCSL.org
  5. 1 2 National new era, No.18, Volume XX, The New Era Co., May 1, 1903, p.3 Google Print, full view
  6. 1 2 3 4 Veto, Sun Journal - Oct 23, 1999
  7. ↑ Referendums, ACE Encyclopedia, Electoral Knowledge Network
  8. ↑ David Butler, Austin Ranney, Referendums around the world: the growing use of direct democracy, American Enterprise Institute, 1994, ISBN   0-8447-3853-0, Google Print, p.63
  9. ↑ Popular or citizens initiative: Legal Designs
  10. ↑ (in Polish) Demokracja bezpośrednia i semibezpośrednia Archived 2015-08-06 at the Wayback Machine
  11. 1 2 3 4 Pierre Garrone, Referenda in Europe Archived 2011-07-22 at the Wayback Machine , Council of Europe
  12. 1 2 3 4 Study on Referendum Archived 2013-01-17 at the Wayback Machine , European Commission for Democracy Through Law (Venice Commission)
  13. ↑ Venice Commission (20 October 2005). Referendums in Europe - an analysis of the legal rules in European States. European Commission for Democracy through Law. CDL–AD(2005)034. Report adopted by the Council for Democratic Elections at its 14th meeting.
  14. ↑ "1975: Labour votes to leave the EEC". 1975-04-26. Retrieved 2024-12-02.
  15. ↑ "EUbusiness - French lawmakers vote opens way for referendum on EU constitution". web.archive.org. 2005-03-02. Retrieved 2024-12-02.
  16. ↑ graphitas (2014-09-19). "How Scotland voted, and why". Lord Ashcroft Polls. Retrieved 2024-12-02.
  17. ↑ "Chile court confirms Salvador Allende committed suicide". BBC News. 2012-09-12. Retrieved 2024-12-02.
  18. ↑ "Q&A: Venezuela's referendum". 2007-11-30. Retrieved 2024-12-02.
  19. ↑ "Colombia referendum: Voters reject Farc peace deal". BBC News. 2016-10-02. Retrieved 2024-12-02.
  20. ↑ "Cuba to recognise private property under new constitution". BBC News. 2018-07-15. Retrieved 2024-12-02.
  21. ↑ States that allow for the Ballot Initiative Process Archived 2011-07-23 at the Wayback Machine , ballot.org
  22. ↑ Initiative and Referendum States
  23. ↑ Arthur N. Holcombe, State Government in the United States, Read Books, 2007, ISBN   1-4067-7154-6, Google Print, p.141
  24. ↑ Arthur N. Holcombe, State Government in the United States, Read Books, 2007, ISBN   1-4067-7154-6, Google Print, p.529
  25. ↑ Strauss, Annette (June 1993). "The 1992 Referendum in South Africa". The Journal of Modern African Studies. 31 (2): 339–360. doi:10.1017/S0022278X00011964. ISSN   1469-7777.
  26. ↑ "South Sudan referendum: 99% vote for independence". BBC News. 2011-01-30. Retrieved 2024-12-02.
  27. ↑ "Paul Kagame's third term: Rwanda referendum on 18 December". BBC News. 2015-12-09. Retrieved 2024-12-02.
  28. ↑ "Central African Republic: Referendum Poses Risks | Human Rights Watch". 2023-06-05. Retrieved 2024-10-30.
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