Referendums

A referendum is a vote on a single issue. You usually make one choice between 2 options. 

Each referendum has different rules on who can vote in it. 

Referendums can be:

  • national, where people across the whole of the UK can vote

  • regional, where only people in a certain part of the UK can vote - for example, Wales or North East England

  • local, held by local councils for people in their area

In a referendum, votes are usually counted for the whole of an area, not by constituency.

Local referendums

A local referendum can be held by a local council to make a decision on an issue affecting their area. For example, whether the local council should increase council tax. 

Contact your local council to check the rules on who can vote in a local referendum they’re holding.