In May 2018, Ireland used a referendum to decide whether to repeal its constitutional ban on abortion. With a turnout of 64%, the third highest ever, the Irish people voted 66% to 33% to lift one of the most restriction abortion laws in the developed world. What’s most interesting, however (for this article), is not the decision the voters made, nor even the issue begin voted on, but that they used a referendum to make the decision.
Ireland requires a referendum any time a change to its constitution is being decided. Since independence from Britain in 1921, Ireland has had 35 such referendums. Yet Ireland is not the leader in referendum usage. That title goes to the Swiss. Switzerland has held some 300 of them since its founding as a modern nation in 1848. The Swiss are the most advanced at using them as well, applying them to all levels of governance (federal, canton, local) and having developed different ways of counting votes depending on the issue. (Changes to the constitution require double majorities—a majority of the popular vote and a majority of cantons.)
Across Europe, referendum usage has soared since the 1990s. They have been used for weighty issues (remaining in the EU, same-sex marriage) and lighter fare (foreign aid, school zoning). Critics call them a way for legislators to dodge responsibility, while supporters consider them a tool for breaking legislative gridlock. In either case, referendums allow people to vote directly on issues important to them.
Referendums will be used more frequently as technology makes them easier to conduct, nations get better at managing them, and people get more comfortable with making collective decisions through social media and other technologies. While legal minutia will remain the province of legislators, people will make important decisions directly. People want to make the important decisions, so you can expect to see more of them.
References:
Washington Post, “In another secular step, Ireland repeals abortion ban, 27 May 2018, A1.
The Guardian, “Referendums: who holds them, why, and are they always a dog’s BREXIT?”, 11 Mar 2019.
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