plebiscite

IPA: pɫˈɛbʌsaɪt

(law, politics) A direct popular vote on an issue of public importance, such as an amendment to the constitution, a change in the sovereignty of the nation, or some government policy.
(by extension) An expression of the public's views on an issue, whether legally binding or not.
(Ancient Rome, historical) Synonym of plebiscitum (“a law enacted by the common people, under the superintendence of a tribune or some subordinate plebeian magistrate, without the intervention of the senate”)

Examples of "plebiscite" in Sentences

Thirty-seven million people trying to govern by plebiscite is ridiculous.
And secondly have a plebiscite in other words give it out to all of the Iraqis.
Anytime a plebiscite is held and the Haitians vote for independence, we go home.
It is a well-known fact that, in Uruguay, the regime called a plebiscite and was defeated.
A plebiscite is a Yankee invention which, unfortunately, has deceived many people of good faith throughout the world.
Facing pressure for change both at home and abroad, Mr. Pinochet called a plebiscite on continuing his rule in 1988, which he lost.
● The government conducts a sham "plebiscite" -- unclear question, no public voters 'list, no spending controls, and no guarantee of ballot secrecy.
The plebiscite was an important gauge of popularity for Correa, who was first elected in 2006 and easily re-elected in 2009 after a rewrite of the constitution.
Having annexed Austria in March, Germany's Adolph Hitler calls a plebiscite which shows that more than 99 percent of Austrians favor union with Germany's Third Reich.
Comte Auguste de Morny, the president's half-brother, had a proclamation printed to inform the people of the dissolution of the assembly and the restoration of universal male suffrage and called a plebiscite for a fundamental revision of the constitution.