The optional referendum is a referendum which comes from a formal demand. ... The optional referendum is in contrast to a mandatory referendum in that it is a requested and impromptu referendum, whereas a mandatory referendum is a legally required and planned step to perform certain government actions.
Is a referendum compulsory?
Referendums have been held in Australia to approve parliament-proposed changes to the Constitution of Australia or to the constitutions of states and territories. ... Voting in a referendum is compulsory for those on the electoral roll, in the same way that it is compulsory to vote in a general election.
What is the difference between a mandatory and optional referendum?
The optional referendum is a referendum which comes from a formal demand. ... The optional referendum is in contrast to a mandatory referendum in that it is a requested and impromptu referendum, whereas a mandatory referendum is a legally required and planned step to perform certain government actions.
What was the referendum means?
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. ... Some definitions of ‘plebiscite’ suggest it is a type of vote to change the constitution or government of a country.
Is it compulsory to vote in Switzerland?
Until 1971 some cantons punished citizens for not voting (with a fine equivalent to $3). In the canton of Schaffhausen, voting is still compulsory. ... There are no voting machines in Switzerland; all votes are counted by hand.
Why is Switzerland a direct democracy?
Switzerland is a rare example of a country with instruments of direct democracy (at the levels of the municipalities, cantons, and federal state). Citizens have more power than in a representative democracy. ... A double majority requires approval by a majority of individuals voting, and also by a majority of cantons.
How many signatures does a Swiss referendum have?
Swiss referendums take three forms: popular initiatives, which are citizen proposals to create a new law and require 100,000 valid signatures on a petition to get on the ballot; facultative or optional referendums, which are citizen proposals to approve or reject a piece of existing law and require 50,000 valid ...
Is a referendum legally binding?
Referendums are not legally binding, so legally the Government can ignore the results; for example, even if the result of a pre-legislative referendum were a majority of “No” for a proposed law, Parliament could pass it anyway, because Parliament is sovereign.
Does a referendum change the Constitution?
A referendum is only passed if it is approved by a majority of voters across the nation and a majority of voters in a majority of states—this is known as a double majority. ... If a referendum is successful, the change is made to the Constitution.
What’s the difference between a plebiscite and a referendum?
Referenda are binding on the government. A plebiscite is sometimes called an ‘advisory referendum’ because the government does not have to act upon its decision. Plebiscites do not deal with Constitutional questions but issues on which the government seeks approval to act, or not act.
What is the purpose of referendum?
The REFERENDUM allows citizens, through the petition process, to refer acts of the Legislature to the ballot before they become law. The referendum also permits the Legislature itself to refer proposed legislation to the electorate for approval or rejection.
What did the 1967 referendum do?
On 27 May 1967, Australians voted to change the Constitution so that like all other Australians, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples would be counted as part of the population and the Commonwealth would be able to make laws for them.
What is a yes or no vote called?
• A roll call vote occurs when each senator votes “Yea” or “Nay” as his or her name is called by the clerk, who records the votes on a tally sheet. A roll call vote must be taken if requested by one-fifth of a quorum of senators.
What happens to my vote if I dont vote?
The penalty for not voting in New South Wales is a $55 fine. You must respond within 28 days of the issue date of the notice. ... If you did not vote and you think you have a sufficient reason, you can tell us in writing. We cannot excuse you for not voting over the phone.
What are the advantages of compulsory voting?
Compulsory registration and voting increase the legitimacy of elected representatives. Candidates winning seats in parliament really do win a majority of the people’s votes. In countries like the United States, where the turnout can be low, candidates can win with much less than a majority of the eligible vote.
Who Cannot vote in Switzerland?
At federal level, exercising one’s political rights in the strictest sense (the right to stand for election and to vote in popular initiatives and referendums) is limited to Swiss citizens aged 18 or over, as prescribed by Articles 136, 143 and 150 of the Swiss Federal Constitution.
