A deliberative referendum is a referendum that increases public deliberation through purposeful institutional design.[1] :557 The term "deliberative referendum" stems from deliberative democracy,:509 which emphasises that "the legitimacy of decisions can be increased if...decisions are preceded by authentic deliberation.":903 Deliberative design features can promote public deliberation prior to and during the referendum vote to increase its actual and perceived legitimacy.[2] :910 Deliberative referendums encourage open-minded and informed reasoning, rather than rigid "pre-formed opinions".:508-512 "[A]fter deliberations, citizens routinely alter their preferences".[2] :910
In practice, a deliberative referendum includes a variety of institutional design features. These include using a citizens' jury to set referendum questions and educate the public, further public education via mandatory interactive tutorials before voting, and focusing referendums on broad values rather than technicalities.[3] Some authors note how legal regulation can also aid referendum deliberation.:523
One deliberative referendum method is the Citizens' Initiative Review; this is a randomly-selected body, similar to a citizen's jury, convened specifically to deliberate on a ballot initiative or referendum that voters in the same jurisdiction (such as a city, state, province, or country) will later vote on.[4]
Constitutional deliberative referendums can "provide citizens with a meaningful say in determining the most fundamental constitutional decisions that affect their lives".[5] :510 Voter deliberation is significant here as the referendum result could change the state's political status or impact the enjoyment of human rights.:559