referenda

variants or referendums
plural of referendum
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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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of referenda Unlike other European monarchies, the constitution allows the ruling prince to dismiss governments, appoint judges, call referendums and veto legislation. The Week Uk, TheWeek, 8 Sep. 2026 Elder incumbents prevailed in the other primaries that were generational referendums. Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026 Information on candidates and referendums is available to help people make their choice. Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026 Midterm elections almost always are referendums on the president and the party in power. Karen Tumulty, Washington Post, 20 Aug. 2026 Here’s what Miami voters decided on the city’s two ballot referendums during the August primary election. Miami Herald, 19 Aug. 2026 That's the essential question 37 school districts will ask Indiana voters this November general election, which will feature a record number of school funding referendums after budgets took a blow from property tax reform. Marissa Meador, IndyStar, 14 Aug. 2026 Only four communities – Delafield, Rochester, Wrightstown and the Galesville-Ettrick-Trempealeau School District – have local fire/EMS, school funding or data center referendums. Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 11 Aug. 2026 What was supposed to be a session to talk about the Moda Center and renovations morphed into talks of litigation, taxes and referendums on Portland’s business climate. Jason Quick, New York Times, 31 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for referenda
Noun
  • According to the polling, Democrats can erode the GOP’s advantage on crime issues by tying Republicans’ votes against gun safety legislation to their backing from the firearms industry.
    Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 10 Sep. 2026
  • Securing 60 votes has emerged as a key challenge, with ethics provisions among the issues under negotiation.
    Jenny Lee, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The plaintiffs swiftly filed new lawsuits after the Postal Service finalized its rule governing mail ballots.
    NICHOLAS RICCARDI, Arkansas Online, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Voters are not required to present IDs at polling stations and mail-in ballots are verified through signatures.
    Tom Wait, CBS News, 10 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Referenda.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/referenda. Accessed 12 Sep. 2026.

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