Referendum

Explanation

A referendum is a vote in which the entire electorate is asked to decide on a specific question — constitutional change, policy issue, or treaty ratification. Some countries hold referendums frequently (Switzerland holds several per year), while others use them rarely. Referendums can be binding or advisory. Notable referendums include the UK's 2016 Brexit vote (advisory but treated as binding), Scotland's 2014 independence referendum, and Colombia's 2016 peace deal vote (which was initially rejected). Referendums can resolve divisive issues democratically but can also oversimplify complex questions and produce narrow, contested outcomes.