Local referendum in resolution of issues of local importance: legislation and practice

Topical issues of the institution of local referendum in the Russian Federation are considered. Attention is drawn to the problems in the wording of the issue submitted to the local referendum, the unjustified refusal to hold it, the low participation of the population in voting in the referendum, etc. The deficiencies of the legislation on local referendum, which do not allow expanding the practice of the local referendum, are revealed. Conclusions and proposals are formulated aimed at overcoming the negative situation associated with the organization, as well as with the implementation of referenda at the local level. The study, on the one hand, made it possible to identify a number of shortcomings in the conduct of local referendums, but, on the other hand, showed the importance and significance of this form of local self-government for the development of civil society and the building of a rule-of-law democratic state.