A referendum is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is invited to vote on a specific proposal, often resulting in the adoption of new legislation or constitutional amendments. Unlike a general election, which selects representatives, referendums focus on specific issues, allowing citizens to decide on key policy questions. This direct mechanism strengthens democratic participation by enabling voters to have a direct say in governance. However, the process is often criticized for oversimplifying complex issues into binary choices, which may not capture the nuances of public opinion on multifaceted topics.