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 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
The decision was made this week during the Gables’ first mail-only ballot election, which asked voters to weigh in on eight referendums.
—Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 22 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
Wisconsin voters headed to the polls on April 7 to elect a new state Supreme Court justice and make their choices for local offices and several school funding referendums.
—Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 8 Apr. 2026
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
Twice in the last 12 years, California voters rejected referendums seeking to abolish the death penalty.
—Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 2 Jan. 2025
Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 23 Apr. 2026
The decision was made this week during the Gables’ first mail-only ballot election, which asked voters to weigh in on eight referendums.
—Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 22 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
Wisconsin voters headed to the polls on April 7 to elect a new state Supreme Court justice and make their choices for local offices and several school funding referendums.
—Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 8 Apr. 2026
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
Twice in the last 12 years, California voters rejected referendums seeking to abolish the death penalty.
—Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 2 Jan. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for referenda
Noun
-
However, Bianco received the most votes from the GOP delegates.—
Tom Wait,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
-
In an interview with The Times, Hicks said the party relies on delegates to vet candidates before endorsement votes at the party convention.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But since overseas ballots were counted, Sterling has taken the lead.—
Sarah Horbacewicz,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
-
These voters can also submit their ballots by fax.—
Abby Hamblin,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Referenda.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/referenda. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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