1999 Italian referendum

1999 Italian referendum

18 April 1999

Abolition of mixed-member proportional representation for 25% of the seats in the Chamber of Deputies
OutcomeProposal failed as voter turnout was below 50%
Results
Choice
Votes %
Yes 21,161,866 91.52%
No 1,960,022 8.48%
Valid votes 23,121,888 94.58%
Invalid or blank votes 1,325,633 5.42%
Total votes 24,447,521 100.00%
Registered voters/turnout 49,309,060 49.58%

An abrogative referendum on the electoral law was held in Italy on 18 April 1999.[1] Voters were asked whether they approved of replacing the mixed-member proportional representation electoral system (in which 75% of seats in Parliament were elected in single-member constituencies and 25% by compensatory proportional representation) with one based solely on single-member constituencies, with the 25% of seats instead allocated to the second-placed in the constituencies with the most votes.[2] The proposal was supported by larger parties, but opposed by smaller ones.[2] Although the proposal was approved by 92% of voters, turnout was only 49.58%, resulting in the referendum being invalidated as the threshold of 50% was not passed.[3]

Results

ChoiceVotes%
For21,161,86691.52
Against1,960,0228.48
Total23,121,888100.00
Valid votes23,121,88894.58
Invalid/blank votes1,325,6335.42
Total votes24,447,521100.00
Registered voters/turnout49,309,06049.58
Source: Ministry of the Interior

References

  1. ^ Dieter Nohlen & Philip Stöver (2010) Elections in Europe: A data handbook, p1049 ISBN 978-3-8329-5609-7
  2. ^ a b Sunday referendum in Italy to decide on voting system World Socialist Website, 19 April 1999
  3. ^ Nohlen & Stöver, p1061