The appointment at the ballot box

Referendum on justice: when to vote, what the question says

The referendum voting vademecum

21 March 2026

2' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

Key points

When voting
Who can vote
The unravelling knot of out-of-office people

2' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

The appointment is for Sunday 22 and Monday 23 March and voters will have to vote on the constitutional referendum on the justice reform, which intervenes on the ordering of the judiciary.

The referendum: no quorum

The referendum to be voted on from Sunday is confirmatory in nature, and is provided for by the Constitution itself when constitutional reform laws, such as the one on the separation of careers, fail to achieve a qualified majority in parliament. There is no quorum: one more vote will be enough to win.

The question: seven standards changed

Here is the text of the question: "Do you approve the text of the law revising Articles 87, paragraph 10, 102, paragraph 1, 104, 105, 106, paragraph 3, 107, paragraph 1, and 110 of the Constitution approved by Parliament and published in the Official Gazette of 30 October 2025 with the title 'Rules on the judicial system and the establishment of the Disciplinary Court?

Referendum sulla giustizia: ecco le cose da sapere

The answers: the consequences of voting

If the yes vote prevails, the constitutional reform law will come into force, whereas if the no vote wins, the law will not be passed and will have no effect.

The contents: two Csm and a High Court

Referendum giustizia: sdoppiamento Csm, perché sì e perché no

The implementation phase: a year to go

To be able to unfold its effects, if the yes vote wins, the reform will have to await the entry into force of the implementing rules on crucial points such as the draw procedures, the procedure before the High Court, and the determination of new disciplinary offences. All measures to be brought into force within a year.

Timetres and turnout: result as early as Monday

Voting will take place over two days, Sunday 22 March, from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Monday 23 March from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Polling will begin immediately after the polling stations close, by Monday evening the verdict will be in. Data on turnout will be communicated by the Viminale on Sunday at 12 noon, 7pm and 11pm.