Direct Democracy Database

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About this database

Democracy is about involvement of the people in the functioning of their government. A wide range of democratic practices exist in order to engage citizens in making political and institutional decisions, while direct democracy instruments allow citizens to formally engage in such democratic decision making.

There are four mechanisms of direct democracy designed to give the electorate increased opportunities to involve themselves in the running of their governments – referendums, citizens’ initiatives, agenda initiatives and recalls. International IDEA’s Direct Democracy Database provides global comparative data about how those four mechanisms of direct democracy are organized in 197 countries across the globe.

The Database provides comparative data as divided into the following five parts:

General part
contains general data about the existence of specific types of direct democracy instruments, and their legal basis.
Referendum part
presents specific data about referendum instruments.
Initiative part
presents specific data about citizens’ and agenda initiative instruments.
Recall part
covers recall instrument in specific detail.
Signature collection part
describes how collections are organized for all types of direct democracy instruments that require citizens’ signatures.

Background information

View our themes

Electoral Processes

Political Participation and Representation

Methodology

FAQ

Methodology

The initial global research on direct democracy was conducted for the Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook published by International IDEA in 2008. Many organizations and individuals were involved in this research, which was one of the major global studies of direct democracy. The data gathered for the Handbook were later transferred to the Direct Democracy Database.

The primary source used for the research was the constitution. However, in most cases, additional legal documents, such as the electoral laws, specific referendum laws and other relevant legislative documents were also included when it was evident that they stipulated direct democracy procedures. The legal sources used for each data point and relevant quotes have been provided in the online database, together with links leading to texts of the original documents available online.

The legal provisions for direct democracy instruments are complex in some countries, which posed a challenge when classifying the data in the database. Nevertheless, the researchers engaged in the study tried to be consistent in their interpretation of the law. When the laws are not clear in certain provisions, the relevant explanations have been provided in the comments sections.

International IDEA conducts regular desk research to update the Direct Democracy Database. Updates are done by reviewing legal reforms that affect the instruments and procedures of direct democracy. In addition, we invite researchers and practitioners working in the area of democracy to contribute to the curation of the database. If users note that the database has missing, incomplete, incorrect data and/or sources they can use the online form in the “Submit feedback” section. We will review the submission as soon as possible and update the database if the suggested data revision is accurate.

Frequently asked questions

Who created the database?

The database was created by International IDEA under the direction of in-house researchers who studied the legislative documents providing for direct democracy instruments. The community is encouraged to use the database and help us to improve existing entries to keep the database up-to-date.

Where does the data come from?

Data come from different sources, such as constitutions, specific laws providing for direct democracy instruments, electoral laws, materials published by electoral management bodies, and other reputable materials available online.

What should I do if I find missing or incorrect data?

If you note that the database has missing or incorrect data, or if you find missing sources or need further explanation, you can use the online form in the “Submit feedback” section. We will review the submission as soon as possible and update the database if the information submitted is accurate.

Can I get a complete export of all the data?

Yes, there are two options to export all the data in excel file:

Option 1: In the “Search the database” section please click on the “Region/political entity” menu and select “World” option. Then click on the “Search” button. This will produce all the data in the database in a table format. Data from this table can be exported into excel file by clicking on the “Export” button available at the top of the table.

Option 2: Click on the “Advanced Search” hyperlink provided below the “Search the database” section. You will be directed to a specific search interface where you can select all the questions and countries to produce online table presenting all the data. Data from this table can be exported into excel file by clicking on the “Export” button available at the top of the table. In this search interface you can also limit your search to specific sections and/or questions of the database as well as to specific regions and/or countries.

Glossary

Abrogative referendum	A vote of the electorate which may repeal a law or decree that has been agreed and promulgated by the legislature and already implemented.
Ad hoc referendum	A vote of the electorate called by a person or group within the executive or the legislature but not otherwise provided for by law.
Agenda initiative	A direct democracy procedure which enables citizens to submit a proposal which must be considered by the legislature but is not necessarily put to a vote of the electorate.
Approval quorum	A requirement for passage of a proposal which takes the form of a specified number of votes or a percentage of the electorate in support of the proposal.
Ballot text	Text which appears on the ballot paper for a vote of the electorate under a direct democracy procedure, typically in the form of a question or a series of options. For a referendum it may be a specified question text, or a question seeking agreement or rejection of a text; for an initiative, a question asking for agreement or rejection of a proposal identified by the title of the citizens' initiative; for a recall, a question asking for agreement or rejection of the early termination of the period in office of a specified office holder.
Binding referendum	A vote of the electorate where, if a proposal passes, the government or appropriate authority is compelled to implement it.
Citizens' demand	A direct democracy procedure that allows citizens to initiate a referendum to repeal an existing law (abrogative referendum) or a law recently adopted by a legislature (rejective referendum).
Citizens' initiative	A direct democracy procedure that allows citizens to initiate a vote of the electorate on a proposal outlined by those citizens. The proposal may be for a new law, for a constitutional amendment, or to repeal or amend an existing law.
Consultative referendum	A vote of the electorate the outcome of which is in legal terms only advisory for a government or appropriate authority.
Counter-proposal	A proposal agreed by the legislature to be presented to a vote of the electorate as an alternative to the proposal contained in a citizens' initiative.
Direct democracy procedure	A legal arrangement which gives citizens the right to be directly involved in the political decision-making process. It may take one of three forms: citizens voting on a public policy proposal originated elsewhere (referendum); citizens setting the agenda by originating a public policy proposal themselves (initiative); and citizens requesting and voting on the early termination of the period in office of one of the personnel of government (recall). Also known as a direct democracy instrument and a direct democracy mechanism.
Double majority	A requirement for a proposal to pass which includes both a majority of the total votes cast and a majority of the votes in a specified number of sub-national areas
Electoral management body (EMB)	An organization or body which has been founded for the sole purpose of, and is legally responsible for, managing some or all of the essential (or core) elements of the conduct of elections, and of direct democracy procedures.
Electorate	The total number of electors registered to vote.
Initiative	A procedure which allows citizens to put forward a proposal. One form (citizens' initiative) leads to a vote of the electorate, a second (agenda initiative) to the consideration by the legislature or other specified authority.
Legality check	The scrutiny by a public authority of the constitutionality and legality of a proposal.
Mandatory referendum	A vote of the electorate which is required under circumstances defined in the constitution or in legislation. Also known as an obligatory referendum.
Optional referendum	A vote of the electorate which is not required by the constitution or by law.
Plebiscite	Sometimes used as a synonym for a referendum called by the authority, often the executive.
Proponents	The citizens who first sign and deposit an initiative proposal.
Proposal	The complete text of a referendum or initiative proposal. Sometimes called a measure or proposition.
Qualified majority	A majority requirement demanding that for a proposal to be passed, it must receive a proportion of the vote in excess of 50 per cent plus 1 - for example two-thirds or three-quarters.
Quorum	See approval quorum and turnout quorum.
Recall	A direct democracy procedure that allows a specified number of citizens and/or an appropriate authority to demand a vote of the electorate on whether an elected holder of public office should be removed from that office before the end of her/his term.
Referendum	A direct democracy procedure consisting of a vote of the electorate on an issue of public policy such as a constitutional amendment or a draft law. Also known as popular consultation or a plebiscite.
Referendum question	See ballot text.
Registration of a citizens' initiative	The act of depositing an initiative for publication and collection of signatures, whereby the legal process of the initiative is officially started.
Registered committee	The proponents of a referendum, initiative or recall when they are officially registered in the form of a committee.
Rejective referendum	A vote of the electorate which may veto a law or decree that has been agreed by the legislature but has not yet come into force. Also known as a facultative referendum.
Submission	The act of depositing collected signatures with the proper authority in a citizens' initiative or citizens' demand process.
Turnout quorum	A specified minimum voter turnout required for a vote of the electorate to be valid.
Verification	The declaration of acceptance by the proper authority that the submission contains at least the required number of valid signatures and complies with the law, regulations and procedural rules.