variants
or referendums
as in votes
an event in which the electorate votes for or against a law that deals with a specific issue
They are having a referendum so the public can decide the controversial issue.
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Recent Examples of referenda
But with the deadline for sending referendums to the August ballot passing this month, Higgins has now set her sights on November.
—
Tess Riski
may 28, Miami Herald, 28 May 2026
In both states, voters passed referendums to allow the new maps.
—Justin Papp, CNBC, 11 May 2026
According to Virginia’s constitution, the state legislature must pass referendums twice, with an election in between.
—Connor Greene, Time, 8 May 2026
But the move prompted blue states to respond by passing their own redistricting referendums, with California passing a map in November that could result in Democrats picking up five seats.
—Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 23 Apr. 2026
Ballot initiatives and referendums are increasingly seen as one of the last major vehicles to change state laws and congressional maps, often as a method to work around state lawmakers.
—Caroline Vakil, The Hill, 18 Apr. 2026
But the plan was scuttled when two 1998 referendums, one for the money and one for a rate increase, were narrowly voted down.
—Hank Beckman, Chicago Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026
Twice in the last 12 years, California voters rejected referendums seeking to abolish the death penalty.
—Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 2 Jan. 2025
They’ve been supposed referendums on what Notre Dame football can be in the modern age.
—Pete Sampson, The Athletic, 2 Jan. 2025
Tess Riski
may 28, Miami Herald, 28 May 2026
In both states, voters passed referendums to allow the new maps.
—Justin Papp, CNBC, 11 May 2026
According to Virginia’s constitution, the state legislature must pass referendums twice, with an election in between.
—Connor Greene, Time, 8 May 2026
But the move prompted blue states to respond by passing their own redistricting referendums, with California passing a map in November that could result in Democrats picking up five seats.
—Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 23 Apr. 2026
Ballot initiatives and referendums are increasingly seen as one of the last major vehicles to change state laws and congressional maps, often as a method to work around state lawmakers.
—Caroline Vakil, The Hill, 18 Apr. 2026
But the plan was scuttled when two 1998 referendums, one for the money and one for a rate increase, were narrowly voted down.
—Hank Beckman, Chicago Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026
Twice in the last 12 years, California voters rejected referendums seeking to abolish the death penalty.
—Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 2 Jan. 2025
They’ve been supposed referendums on what Notre Dame football can be in the modern age.
—Pete Sampson, The Athletic, 2 Jan. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for referenda
Noun
-
If no candidate wins an outright majority, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and their ballots are redistributed to those voters’ next-preferred choices.—
Ryan Macasero,
Mercury News,
29 May 2026
-
Rudy Moise, a Miami physician who twice ran against Wilson for her congressional seat, has already thrown his hat into the ring, citing her recent absence and missed votes due to an eye surgery.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
Although Schwarze ultimately prevailed, the party’s divisions were on display as the endorsement battle dragged on through six ballots.—
Jay Gabler,
Twin Cities,
30 May 2026
-
If no candidate wins an outright majority, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and their ballots are redistributed to those voters’ next-preferred choices.—
Ryan Macasero,
Mercury News,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Referenda.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/referenda. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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