States, cities & tribes
referendum
A vote on a measure referred to the ballot: either by the legislature for approval, or by citizen petition to overturn a law already passed.
In full
A legislative referendum is required in most states for constitutional amendments and major bond issues. A popular or veto referendum is the mirror of the initiative: petitioners force a public vote on repealing an enacted law, often suspending it until the vote. The distinction from an initiative is whether the measure originates with citizens or with the legislature.
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A plain-language explanation for civic education, not legal advice. When in doubt, the official source named above controls.