plebiscita

Plebiscita are resolutions issued by the Concilium Plebis, the plebeian assembly of ancient Rome. The term is Latin, the plural of plebiscitum, meaning a decree of the people.

In the early Republic, plebiscita bound only plebeians. After the Lex Hortensia of 287 BCE, plebiscita acquired the force of law for all Roman citizens, making the assembly’s decisions binding on the entire state.

The plebeian assembly could pass plebiscita on a range of issues, including civil rights, religious matters, and public finances. Over time, plebiscita became an important source of Roman law alongside other legislative acts and official decrees.

In modern usage, plebiscita (plebiscites) refer to direct votes by citizens on public policy questions. They may be binding or advisory depending on constitutional provisions or electoral law in a given jurisdiction.