What is the term for a yes or no vote by citizens on a law or policy proposed by the state government?

• A. Vote on proposed legislation
• B. Referendum
• C. Constitutional amendment
• D. Recall

Answer: (B)

This question centers on referendums—a direct democracy mechanism where voters cast a yes-or-no vote on a law or policy proposed by the state government. When the legislature puts a proposal directly to the people for approval, the outcome is determined by whether the electorate says yes (to adopt the measure) or no (to reject it). This is distinct from recall, which concerns removing an elected official from office, and from a constitutional amendment, which changes the state's fundamental rules and often follows a different procedural path. The option described as a vote on proposed legislation is simply a description of the process, but the formal term for that yes-or-no statewide vote on a law or policy is referendum.