- In the United States, communities vote on who they want to represent them, but there's another method of legislation that gives everyday citizens the power to vote directly on the laws that shape our society.

(light upbeat music) A referendum is a way for citizens to vote themselves on acts that would normally be decided by a legislative body, like a state legislature.

They're often referred to as ballot measures or propositions.

There are a few ways that this kind of direct action can take place.

In what's called the initiative process, citizens can petition to either vote on an issue themselves or submit a proposal for their state governments to take up.

A popular referendum allows citizens to petition to overturn a law passed by their state legislature.

Currently, 24 states have an initiative and referendum process written into their constitutions.

Folks in other states have to wait for their legislatures to bring ballot measures to them in what's known as legislative referral.

Referendums happen over all kinds of issues, from simple votes on potential tax changes to higher-stakes votes like legalizing marijuana.

It's important to research these ballot measures and propositions before casting your vote.

What referendum would you like to see on the ballot?

(light upbeat music continuing)