Italy Holds Referendum on Justice Reform

Italians are voting in a two-day referendum, beginning Sunday, March 22nd, and concluding Monday, March 23rd, on a constitutional reform of the justice system. The referendum aims to confirm a law approved by Parliament that restructures the judiciary, notably introducing the separation of careers between judges and public prosecutors and establishing a new High Disciplinary Court.

Turnout and Voting Details

As of noon on Sunday, national turnout was nearly 15%, slightly higher than the 12% recorded at the same point in the last referendum. In Sardinia, turnout reached 14.08%. A total of 1,320,841 eligible voters in Sardinia are casting ballots at 1,847 polling stations.

Voting takes place from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM today, Sunday, March 22nd, and from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM tomorrow, Monday, March 23rd. Ballot counting will commence immediately after polls close.

Voters mark “Yes” to approve the reform and “No” to oppose the changes. This is a confirmatory referendum, meaning no minimum voter turnout (quorum) is required for the result to be valid.

Italians residing abroad who are registered with AIRE (the registry of Italians residing abroad) can vote by mail.

Key Aspects of the Reform and Reactions

The reform focuses on the organization of the judiciary. Giuseppe Conte, leader of the Five Star Movement, has criticized the reform, arguing it aims to “weaken the independence of the judiciary” and “protect politicians in office.” He characterized the changes to the High Disciplinary Court as a “gag applied by politics to judges deemed inconvenient by the government.” LaPresse

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has urged citizens to vote “yes,” stating the reform represents a vision for a more meritocratic, responsible, and efficient justice system. Adnkronos

Where to Find Results

Data on voter turnout and the referendum results will be available online at By choosing and on the Eligendo Mobile app. Results specific to the city of Oristano can also be found on the municipality’s institutional website and the Ministry of the Interior website.