direct democracy
noun
plural direct democracies
: democracy in which the power is exercised directly by the people rather than through representatives : a form of government in which the people vote directly against or in favor of decisions, policies, laws, etc.
First, the United States is not a direct democracy and, as such, citizens do not make decisions themselves, [Professor Harry] Wilson writes. Instead, the power to make laws lies in the hands of their elected representatives in Congress.—
Matt Williams
Matt Williams
also
: a country, state, or territory whose form of government is direct democracy compare representative democracy
Examples of direct democracy in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Kehoe called lawmakers into a special session to gerrymander the map and overhaul the state’s key process for direct democracy.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 12 Sep. 2025
The voters can, in the purest form of direct democracy, vote up or down.
—David Weigel, semafor.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Voting rights advocates say the trend betrays the promise of direct democracy.
—Kate Payne, Sun Sentinel, 12 Aug. 2025
The nationwide experience with direct democracy and reproductive freedom since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade highlights the impact of the initiative process to check a state’s ability to circumvent the political will of the people.
—Mark Dorosin, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 July 2025
Folks, here’s direct democracy — and the powerful post-separation motivation — in action.
—Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 7 July 2025
Rayfield’s office says the case is a suitable vehicle for the Supreme Court to resolve if neutral requirements on direct democracy measures implicate the First Amendment.
—Ella Lee, The Hill, 25 June 2025
Zimmermann will discuss threats to direct democracy and voters' access to the ballot.
—Deb Harvell, Arkansas Online, 11 May 2025
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Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 12 Sep. 2025
The voters can, in the purest form of direct democracy, vote up or down.
—David Weigel, semafor.com, 22 Aug. 2025
Voting rights advocates say the trend betrays the promise of direct democracy.
—Kate Payne, Sun Sentinel, 12 Aug. 2025
The nationwide experience with direct democracy and reproductive freedom since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade highlights the impact of the initiative process to check a state’s ability to circumvent the political will of the people.
—Mark Dorosin, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 July 2025
Folks, here’s direct democracy — and the powerful post-separation motivation — in action.
—Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 7 July 2025
Rayfield’s office says the case is a suitable vehicle for the Supreme Court to resolve if neutral requirements on direct democracy measures implicate the First Amendment.
—Ella Lee, The Hill, 25 June 2025
Zimmermann will discuss threats to direct democracy and voters' access to the ballot.
—Deb Harvell, Arkansas Online, 11 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Direct democracy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/direct%20democracy. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
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