direct democracy
noun
plural direct democracies
: democracy in which the power is exercised directly by the people rather than through representatives : a form of government in which the people vote directly against or in favor of decisions, policies, laws, etc.
First, the United States is not a direct democracy and, as such, citizens do not make decisions themselves, [Professor Harry] Wilson writes. Instead, the power to make laws lies in the hands of their elected representatives in Congress.—
Matt Williams
Matt Williams
also
: a country, state, or territory whose form of government is direct democracy compare representative democracy
Examples of direct democracy in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Missouri Republicans, who control every statewide office and both chambers of the legislature, have targeted this mechanism for direct democracy in recent years.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 16 July 2025
The nationwide experience with direct democracy and reproductive freedom since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade highlights the impact of the initiative process to check a state’s ability to circumvent the political will of the people.
—Mark Dorosin, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 July 2025
In her role at Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, Zimmermann has worked through several legislative sessions to protect direct democracy in Arkansas.
—Deb Harvell, Arkansas Online, 11 May 2025
In states like New York and Massachusetts, direct democracy was already being used to elect governors.
—Justin Sherman, CBS News, 18 Mar. 2021
Under California’s progressive system of direct democracy, voters are allowed to bypass Sacramento and enact a state law themselves.
—George Skelton, Mercury News, 3 June 2025
The constitutional amendment, sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Arkansas, would prohibit the state Legislature from amending or repealing constitutional amendments and require a statewide vote by the people before changing the state's direct democracy process.
—Neal Earley, Arkansas Online, 22 May 2025
The effort marks a continuation of Republican attempts to curtail direct democracy in Missouri as voters have used the ballot box to pass several policies seen as progressive, such as a minimum wage increase, Medicaid expansion and marijuana legalization.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 11 Apr. 2025
Still, attempts to amend the constitution to allow for easier direct democracy failed earlier this year.
—Troy Aidan Sambajon, Christian Science Monitor, 28 Apr. 2025
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Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 16 July 2025
The nationwide experience with direct democracy and reproductive freedom since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade highlights the impact of the initiative process to check a state’s ability to circumvent the political will of the people.
—Mark Dorosin, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 July 2025
In her role at Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, Zimmermann has worked through several legislative sessions to protect direct democracy in Arkansas.
—Deb Harvell, Arkansas Online, 11 May 2025
In states like New York and Massachusetts, direct democracy was already being used to elect governors.
—Justin Sherman, CBS News, 18 Mar. 2021
Under California’s progressive system of direct democracy, voters are allowed to bypass Sacramento and enact a state law themselves.
—George Skelton, Mercury News, 3 June 2025
The constitutional amendment, sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Arkansas, would prohibit the state Legislature from amending or repealing constitutional amendments and require a statewide vote by the people before changing the state's direct democracy process.
—Neal Earley, Arkansas Online, 22 May 2025
The effort marks a continuation of Republican attempts to curtail direct democracy in Missouri as voters have used the ballot box to pass several policies seen as progressive, such as a minimum wage increase, Medicaid expansion and marijuana legalization.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 11 Apr. 2025
Still, attempts to amend the constitution to allow for easier direct democracy failed earlier this year.
—Troy Aidan Sambajon, Christian Science Monitor, 28 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Direct democracy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/direct%20democracy. Accessed 23 Jul. 2025.
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