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
Through these referendums, voters can weigh in on construction bans, tax incentives and zoning ordinances.
—
Rachel Mural, The Conversation, 18 June 2026
Migration remains divisive issue Swiss democracy gives voters a direct say in policymaking through referendums typically held four times a year.
—Jamey Keaten, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2026
Turnout was about 59%, well above the recent average of 48% for Swiss referendums.
—CNN Money, 14 June 2026
Swiss democracy gives voters a direct say in policymaking through referendums typically held four times a year.
—ABC News, 14 June 2026
So far, there are no city-specific referendums scheduled to be on the ballot, though city commissioners have until late July to add any.
—Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 12 June 2026
For decades, violent crimes involving members of different races have been blown into national referendums on race, from lynchings in the Jim Crow era to the Rodney King riots in 1992.
—Jack Crosbie, Rolling Stone, 12 June 2026
Swiss democracy gives voters a direct say in policymaking through referendums typically held four times a year.
—Jamey Keaten, Fortune, 10 June 2026
In both states, voters passed referendums to allow the new maps.
—Justin Papp, CNBC, 11 May 2026
Rachel Mural, The Conversation, 18 June 2026
Migration remains divisive issue Swiss democracy gives voters a direct say in policymaking through referendums typically held four times a year.
—Jamey Keaten, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2026
Turnout was about 59%, well above the recent average of 48% for Swiss referendums.
—CNN Money, 14 June 2026
Swiss democracy gives voters a direct say in policymaking through referendums typically held four times a year.
—ABC News, 14 June 2026
So far, there are no city-specific referendums scheduled to be on the ballot, though city commissioners have until late July to add any.
—Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 12 June 2026
For decades, violent crimes involving members of different races have been blown into national referendums on race, from lynchings in the Jim Crow era to the Rodney King riots in 1992.
—Jack Crosbie, Rolling Stone, 12 June 2026
Swiss democracy gives voters a direct say in policymaking through referendums typically held four times a year.
—Jamey Keaten, Fortune, 10 June 2026
In both states, voters passed referendums to allow the new maps.
—Justin Papp, CNBC, 11 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for referenda
Noun
-
Ortiz won more votes in Woodland and the county’s rural areas, according to precinct-level results.—
Daniel Lempres,
Sacbee.com,
13 June 2026
-
For the once-a-decade head count the bureau is best known for, the agency did not add any statistical noise to the state-level 2020 census results used to redistribute congressional seats and Electoral College votes.—
Hansi Lo Wang,
NPR,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
After Yolo County added roughly 5,400 ballots to its tally Friday, the measure gained a net 168 votes.—
Daniel Lempres,
Sacbee.com,
13 June 2026
-
Each member of the Television Academy — nearly 24,000 industry professionals divided among 31 peer groups, including directors, producers and artisans — votes within their professional field, but all eligible voters may cast ballots in the 14 top program races.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
12 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Referenda.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/referenda. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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