What is a referendum in the context of democracy?

A referendum is defined as a direct vote in which the electorate is invited to vote on a specific issue, such as constitutional amendments or significant policy decisions. This process allows citizens to express their opinion or decide on matters that may impact their lives, providing a mechanism for direct democracy. A referendum often involves presenting a question to the public, and the outcome determines the course of action that authorities or governments will take.

In the context of the other options, while a political campaign method refers to strategies used to influence voters, it does not directly involve public decision-making on specific issues. Similarly, a meeting of elected representatives does not engage the general public directly; instead, it involves a selected group making decisions. Lastly, a method for appointing judges pertains to the judicial system and the selection process for judges, which is not related to the concept of a referendum focusing on direct public voting.