History of Referendum in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: April 1, 2025

A referendum is a direct vote by the electorate on a specific proposal, law, or political issue. It's also known as a plebiscite or ballot measure. Referendums can be either binding, where the outcome directly determines the action taken, or advisory, where the result serves as guidance for decision-makers. This form of direct democracy allows citizens to express their views on important matters, influencing policy and governance.

1916: Australian conscription referendum

In 1916, an Australian conscription referendum was held, although it did not concern constitutional matters.

1933: António de Oliveira Salazar used referendums to legitimize authority

In 1933, António de Oliveira Salazar made use of referendums as well as show elections to further legitimize their authority.

1934: Benito Mussolini and Adolf Hitler used referendums to legitimize authority

In 1934, Benito Mussolini and Adolf Hitler made use of referendums as well as show elections to further legitimize their authority.

1936: Adolf Hitler used referendums to legitimize authority

In 1936, Adolf Hitler made use of referendums as well as show elections to further legitimize their authority.

1947: Francisco Franco used referendums to legitimize authority

In 1947, Francisco Franco made use of referendums as well as show elections to further legitimize their authority.

1949: Polls in Newfoundland

Polls in Newfoundland (1949) were counted under a form of the two-round system

1957: Multiple choice referendums in Sweden

In 1957, Sweden held a multiple choice referendum where voters were offered three options.

1972: Park Chung Hee used referendums to legitimize authority

In 1972, Park Chung Hee made use of referendums as well as show elections to further legitimize their authority.

1973: Ferdinand Marcos used referendums to legitimize authority

In 1973, Ferdinand Marcos made use of referendums as well as show elections to further legitimize their authority.

1977: Australian national anthem referendum

In 1977, a referendum was held in Australia to determine a new national anthem, presenting voters with four choices.

1977: Australian referendum winner decided by preferential instant-runoff voting (IRV)

In the 1977 Australian referendum, the winner was chosen by the system of preferential instant-runoff voting (IRV).

1980: Multiple choice referendums in Sweden

In 1980, Sweden held a multiple choice referendum where voters were offered three options.

1982: Guam referendum

In 1982, Guam held a referendum that included six options, along with a blank option for write-in candidates.

1982: Polls in Guam

Polls in Guam (1982) were counted under a form of the two-round system

1992: New Zealand poll used an unusual form of TRS

An unusual form of TRS was used in the 1992 New Zealand poll.

1992: New Zealand referendum on electoral system

In 1992, New Zealand conducted a five-option referendum on their electoral system.

2005: Italian fertility laws referendum

In the 2005 Italian fertility laws referendum, opponents campaigned for abstention to lower turnout, leading to invalid results despite a majority voting for changes.

2009: Article in The Economist on California's government

A 2009 article in The Economist argued that citizens' initiatives restricted the ability of the California state government to tax and pass the budget, calling for a new constitution.

2009: Western Australian daylight saving referendum

In 2009, a referendum on daylight saving was held in Western Australia. The referendum did not affect either the federal or state constitution.

2017: Suspension of Catalonia's independence referendum

In 2017, the Spanish Constitutional Court suspended Catalonia's independence referendum following a challenge.

2018: Irish Citizens' Assembly on Referendums

In 2018, the Irish Citizens' Assembly considered how future referendums in Ireland should be conducted, with a majority favoring more than two options and preferential voting.

2021: European Court of Human Rights extends jurisdiction to referendums

In 2021, the European Court of Human Rights extended its jurisdiction to referendums with the judgment Toplak and Mrak v. Slovenia, initiated by disabled voters over polling place access.