Voting modalities

57. The revised guidelines maintain the principle that questions submitted to referendum will preferably allow replies only by yes, no or a blank vote (binary question) (point III.5.a). However, exceptions (multi-option referendums) are possible in specific cases. First, as already expressed in the first version of the guidelines, where Parliament opposes a text but wishes to take a step in a similar direction, it is very helpful if it can put a counter-proposal to the popular vote at the same time. Second, two or more alternatives may be proposed. The guidelines make it clear that in this case, only texts having received an absolute majority may be considered as accepted, that binary questions have to be answered by yes or no, and that vote for the status quo must be possible. More detailed rules are left to the national legislator, in particular whether it is possible to vote “yes” for several options simultaneously; the guidelines provide for possible ways to address the case in which more than one option obtains a majority: application of the option with more votes; subsidiary question – the option with more votes at the subsidiary question is accepted -; a run-off; preferential (alternative) voting (point III.5.b).