Plebiscite vs. Referendum

Plebiscitenoun

A referendum, especially one that concerns changes in sovereignty

Plebiscitenoun

A vote by universal male suffrage; especially, in France, a popular vote, as first sanctioned by the National Constitution of 1791.

Plebiscitenoun

a vote by the electorate determining public opinion on a question of national importance

Referendumnoun

(politics) A direct popular vote on a proposed law or constitutional amendment. The adposition on is usually used before the related subject of the vote.

Referendumnoun

An action, choice, etc., which is perceived as passing judgment on another matter.

Referendumnoun

A diplomatic agent's note asking for instructions from his government concerning a particular matter or point.

Referendumnoun

The right to approve or reject by popular vote a meassure passed upon by a legislature.

Referendumnoun

The principle or practice of referring measures passed upon by the legislative body to the body of voters, or electorate, for approval or rejection, as in the Swiss cantons (except Freiburg) and in various local governments in the United States, and also in the local option laws, etc.; also, the right to so approve or reject laws, or the vote by which this is done. Referendum is distinguished from the mandate, or instruction of representatives by the people, from direct government by the people, in which they initiate and make the laws by direct action without representation, and from a plebiscite, or popular vote taken on any measure proposed by a person or body having the initiative but not constituting a representative or constituent body.

Referendumnoun

a legislative act is referred for final approval to a popular vote by the electorate

Referendum

A referendum (plural: referendums or less commonly referenda) is a direct vote by the electorate on a particular proposal or issue. This is in contrast to an issue being voted on by a representative.