referendum

A referendum is a process in which an election is used to refer a significant final decision to the public , which then directly votes to decide the outcome. Depending on the law in the jurisdiction , referendums may be used in both general elections and special elections . Referendums are generally used to repeal or approve state statutes or amendments to a state constitution. In rare instances, a referendum may be used to recall (i.e., remove) an elected official . In 2011, for example, some voters in Wisconsin launched an unsuccessful referendum to recall the Governor of Wisconsin .

Some states enshrine in their constitutions the right of the public to conduct referendums. Article II of the California Constitution , for example, gives citizens the right to petition for a referendum. Section 9 describes the California referendum as “the power of the electors to approve or reject statutes or parts of statutes except urgency statutes, statutes calling elections, and statutes providing for tax levies or appropriations for usual current expenses of the State.” In California, a referendum measure makes it onto the ballot when over five percent of the voters sign the petition . For instance, in November of 2020, California voters approved a referendum that repealed a statute defining app-based drivers, such as Uber and Lyft drivers, as employees rather than independent contractors . See also: Castellanos v. State of California

[Last reviewed in September of 2024 by the Wex Definitions Team ]

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