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
The reports were mandated by voter referendums in 2022.
—
Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 6 Apr. 2026
What To Know Smith lowered the threshold for citizens to trigger referendums last year.
—Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
Two other referendums affecting Northfield and Northbrook residents passed, per unofficial results, all raising property taxes for a majority of homes in the area.
—Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
The ballot includes the Supreme Court race and plenty of other local offices and referendums.
—Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 25 Mar. 2026
Coral Gables voters will soon weigh in on a variety of referendums during a special vote-by-mail election this spring.
—Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 16 Mar. 2026
The constitutional changes also envisage the creation of a new body, the People’s Council, alongside parliament, empowered to initiate legislation and referendums.
—ABC News, 16 Mar. 2026
Catherine Reagor Zoning fights over development in Arizona have become the norm with the number of voter referendums over zoning battles climbing.
—Catherine Reagor, AZCentral.com, 8 Mar. 2026
Cobb and Gwinnett counties would be blocked from pursuing countywide transit referendums until at least 2032 under legislation being considered by state lawmakers.
—Sara Gregory, AJC.com, 3 Mar. 2026
Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 6 Apr. 2026
What To Know Smith lowered the threshold for citizens to trigger referendums last year.
—Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
Two other referendums affecting Northfield and Northbrook residents passed, per unofficial results, all raising property taxes for a majority of homes in the area.
—Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
The ballot includes the Supreme Court race and plenty of other local offices and referendums.
—Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 25 Mar. 2026
Coral Gables voters will soon weigh in on a variety of referendums during a special vote-by-mail election this spring.
—Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 16 Mar. 2026
The constitutional changes also envisage the creation of a new body, the People’s Council, alongside parliament, empowered to initiate legislation and referendums.
—ABC News, 16 Mar. 2026
Catherine Reagor Zoning fights over development in Arizona have become the norm with the number of voter referendums over zoning battles climbing.
—Catherine Reagor, AZCentral.com, 8 Mar. 2026
Cobb and Gwinnett counties would be blocked from pursuing countywide transit referendums until at least 2032 under legislation being considered by state lawmakers.
—Sara Gregory, AJC.com, 3 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for referenda
Noun
-
Under California’s unique primary system, the two candidates who receive the most votes in the primary will move on to the November general election, regardless of party affiliation.—
Seema Mehta,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
-
And why would a political pro waste time and money soliciting votes from noncitizens when there are millions of legal voters available to persuade?—
George Skelton,
Mercury News,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Voters will receive mail ballots next month in advance of the June 2 election.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 Apr. 2026
-
The feds would refuse to send ballots to people deemed ineligible to cast them.—
George Skelton,
Mercury News,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Referenda.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/referenda. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
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