A plebiscite is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is invited to vote on a specific proposal, often related to constitutional changes or significant political issues. This process allows citizens to express their opinions and make decisions on matters that affect their governance. Plebiscites can be seen as a form of direct democracy, where the will of the people is directly measured. Typically, plebiscites are used to gauge public support for issues such as independence, territorial changes, or major policy shifts. They can be binding or non-binding, depending on the legal framework of the country. Notable examples include the 2016 Brexit referendum in the United Kingdom and the 2014 Scottish independence referendum.