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
Last year, voters in nine states approved referendums to cap or curb rising assessments, from tying bills to inflation in Georgia and New Mexico to expanding tax exemptions in Colorado.
—
Stephen Moore, Boston Herald, 19 Sep. 2025
In Wisconsin, school districts are increasingly turning to referendums to address budget shortfalls and prevent cuts to staffing and programs.
—Anna Kleiber, jsonline.com, 18 Sep. 2025
The campaign faces a tight deadline, but veto referendums have been successful in Missouri as recently as 2017, when labor unions successfully organized to defeat a right-to-work law that would have banned compulsory union fees.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 16 Sep. 2025
Voters approved similar referendums in 2018, 2012 and 2006.
—Imani Cruzen, Twin Cities, 10 Sep. 2025
In 2022, referendums to become a part of Russia occurred in the Ukrainian regions of Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.
—Tara Suter, The Hill, 24 Aug. 2025
Christian Pulisic’s first competitive match in nearly three months was, at once, a run-of-the-mill, early-round Coppa Italia win for Milan against second-division Bari and the first of many referendums on his summer of rest.
—Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025
Voters would have had to approve the referendums to release local funds and allow the public transit plans to move forward.
—Jake Allen, IndyStar, 9 July 2025
Twice in the last 12 years, California voters rejected referendums seeking to abolish the death penalty.
—Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 2 Jan. 2025
Stephen Moore, Boston Herald, 19 Sep. 2025
In Wisconsin, school districts are increasingly turning to referendums to address budget shortfalls and prevent cuts to staffing and programs.
—Anna Kleiber, jsonline.com, 18 Sep. 2025
The campaign faces a tight deadline, but veto referendums have been successful in Missouri as recently as 2017, when labor unions successfully organized to defeat a right-to-work law that would have banned compulsory union fees.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 16 Sep. 2025
Voters approved similar referendums in 2018, 2012 and 2006.
—Imani Cruzen, Twin Cities, 10 Sep. 2025
In 2022, referendums to become a part of Russia occurred in the Ukrainian regions of Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.
—Tara Suter, The Hill, 24 Aug. 2025
Christian Pulisic’s first competitive match in nearly three months was, at once, a run-of-the-mill, early-round Coppa Italia win for Milan against second-division Bari and the first of many referendums on his summer of rest.
—Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025
Voters would have had to approve the referendums to release local funds and allow the public transit plans to move forward.
—Jake Allen, IndyStar, 9 July 2025
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
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And Republicans in charge of both chambers could force messaging votes that underscore Democrats' opposition to funding the government and the services its provides.—
Benjamin Siegel,
ABC News,
30 Sep. 2025
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But after all votes were counted on Monday, Sandu’s Party of Action and Solidarity (PAS) secured more than 50% of the vote, far ahead of the pro-Russian opposition Patriotic Bloc with under 25%.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Forlini's campaign also pointed to election security measures taken by Macomb County under his tenure, including watermarking ballots ahead of the 2024 election.—
Arpan Lobo,
Freep.com,
24 Sep. 2025
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This margin will likely narrow a bit as more Election Day ballots are counted — but this is looking like another double-digit Dem overperformance (district was Harris +22).—
Andrew Stanton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Referenda.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/referenda. Accessed 3 Oct. 2025.
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