A referendum is a direct vote by the electorate on a proposal, law, or political issue. It is a principle or practice of submitting to popular vote a measure passed on or proposed by a legislative body or by popular initiative. The vote can be binding or advisory, and it can result in the adoption of a new policy or specific law, or the referendum may be only advisory. In some countries, different names are used for these two types of referendums. Referendums can be further classified by who initiates them.