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
What To Know Smith lowered the threshold for citizens to trigger referendums last year.
—
Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
Two other referendums affecting Northfield and Northbrook residents passed, per unofficial results, all raising property taxes for a majority of homes in the area.
—Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
The ballot includes the Supreme Court race and plenty of other local offices and referendums.
—Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 25 Mar. 2026
Coral Gables voters will soon weigh in on a variety of referendums during a special vote-by-mail election this spring.
—Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 16 Mar. 2026
The constitutional changes also envisage the creation of a new body, the People’s Council, alongside parliament, empowered to initiate legislation and referendums.
—ABC News, 16 Mar. 2026
Catherine Reagor Zoning fights over development in Arizona have become the norm with the number of voter referendums over zoning battles climbing.
—Catherine Reagor, AZCentral.com, 8 Mar. 2026
Cobb and Gwinnett counties would be blocked from pursuing countywide transit referendums until at least 2032 under legislation being considered by state lawmakers.
—Sara Gregory, AJC.com, 3 Mar. 2026
Twice in the last 12 years, California voters rejected referendums seeking to abolish the death penalty.
—Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 2 Jan. 2025
Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
Two other referendums affecting Northfield and Northbrook residents passed, per unofficial results, all raising property taxes for a majority of homes in the area.
—Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
The ballot includes the Supreme Court race and plenty of other local offices and referendums.
—Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 25 Mar. 2026
Coral Gables voters will soon weigh in on a variety of referendums during a special vote-by-mail election this spring.
—Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 16 Mar. 2026
The constitutional changes also envisage the creation of a new body, the People’s Council, alongside parliament, empowered to initiate legislation and referendums.
—ABC News, 16 Mar. 2026
Catherine Reagor Zoning fights over development in Arizona have become the norm with the number of voter referendums over zoning battles climbing.
—Catherine Reagor, AZCentral.com, 8 Mar. 2026
Cobb and Gwinnett counties would be blocked from pursuing countywide transit referendums until at least 2032 under legislation being considered by state lawmakers.
—Sara Gregory, AJC.com, 3 Mar. 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
-
The legislation easily passed the House and Senate with majority votes.—
Nicole Blanchard,
Idaho Statesman,
4 Apr. 2026
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Democratic lawmakers have taken issue with the fact that Congress has not formally authorized the use of military force, and have forced several votes seeking to block further military action without congressional approval.—
Lucia I Suarez Sang,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Voters can find more information about how to vote and see what else will be on their ballots by visiting the Missouri Secretary of State’s website.—
Jenna Ebbers,
Kansas City Star,
4 Apr. 2026
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Chad Bianco, a front-running GOP California gubernatorial candidate, seized over 650,000 ballots from a 2025 special election, triggering a court fight with Democratic state officials.—
Josh Meyer,
USA Today,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Referenda.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/referenda. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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