A referendum is a direct vote by the electorate on a specific proposal or policy, often concerning constitutional amendments, while a plebiscite usually seeks to gauge public opinion on a broader issue without binding decisions. Both processes allow citizens to participate in governance, but they differ in scope and implementation. Referendums generally have legal weight, requiring authorities to act on the results, whereas plebiscites are more advisory in nature. These distinctions highlight the varying methods through which democratic systems engage citizens in decision-making.