View source for 1991 Soviet Union referendum

{{Short description|1991 USSR referendum on the New Union Treaty}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox referendum
| country = Soviet Union
| title = Do you consider it necessary to preserve the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics as a renewed federation of equal sovereign republics, in which the rights and freedoms of a person of any nationality will be fully guaranteed?
| yes = 113,512,812
| no =  32,303,977
| total = 148,574,606
| electorate = 185,647,355
| date = {{start date|1991|03|17|df=y}}
| map = Soviet Union referendum, 1991 results.svg
| mapdivision = [[Republics of the Soviet Union|republic]]
{{legend|#002B00|95-100% Yes}}
{{legend|#005500|90-95% Yes}}
{{legend|#008000|85-90% Yes}}
{{legend|#00AA00|80-85% Yes}}
{{legend|#00D400|75-80% Yes}}
{{legend|#00FF00|70-75% Yes}}
{{legend|#0000FF|Not participating}}
}}[[File:Soviet Union referendum, 1991.jpg|thumb|300px|Voting bulletin]]

A referendum on the future of the Soviet Union was held on 17 March 1991 across the [[Soviet Union]]. It was the only national referendum in the [[history of the Soviet Union]],<ref>{{Citation |last=Ziętara |first=Wojciech |title=Direct Democracy in Russia |date=2018 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctvddzwx6.20 |work=Handbook of Direct Democracy in Central and Eastern Europe after 1989 |pages=242–259 |editor-last=Marczewska-Rytko |editor-first=Maria |edition=1 |publisher=Verlag Barbara Budrich |doi=10.2307/j.ctvddzwx6.20 |jstor=j.ctvddzwx6.20 |isbn=978-3-8474-2122-1 |access-date=19 December 2022 |archive-date=24 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230124204121/https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctvddzwx6.20 |url-status=live }}</ref> although it was boycotted by authorities in six of the fifteen Soviet republics.

The referendum asked whether to approve a [[new Union Treaty]] between the republics, to replace the [[Treaty on the Creation of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics|1922 treaty]] that created the USSR. The question put to most voters was: 

<blockquote>Do you consider necessary the preservation of the [[Union of Soviet Socialist Republics]] as a [[New Union Treaty|renewed federation]] of equal [[Sovereign state|sovereign republic]]s in which the [[Human rights|rights and freedom of an individual of any ethnicity]] will be fully guaranteed?<ref name=N1>[[Dieter Nohlen]], Florian Grotz & Christof Hartmann (2001) ''Elections in Asia: A data handbook, Volume I'', p492 {{ISBN|0-19-924958-X}}</ref></blockquote>

In [[Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic|Kazakhstan]], the wording of the referendum was changed by substituting "equal sovereign states" for "equal sovereign republics".<ref name=A/>

In Uzbekistan, [[Ukraine]] and [[Kirghizia]] additional questions were asked about sovereignty and independence of these republics.

While the vote was boycotted by the authorities in [[Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic|Armenia]], [[Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic|Estonia]], [[Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic|Georgia]] (though not in the breakaway provinces of [[Abkhaz Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic|Abkhazia]] and [[South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast|South Ossetia]]),<ref name="anticompromat">{{in lang|ru}} [http://www.anticompromat.ru/raznoe/osetia_hron.html Chronicle of the Georgian-Ossetian conflict (1988-2008)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090531010349/http://anticompromat.ru/raznoe/osetia_hron.html |date=31 May 2009 }}</ref> [[Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic|Latvia]], [[Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic|Lithuania]], and [[Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic|Moldova]] (though not in [[Pridnestrovian Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic|Transnistria]] and [[Gagauz Republic|Gagauzia]]),<ref>[http://www.fischka.com/e_history.html Historical Overview of the PMR (Transnistria, Transdniestr, Transdnestr, Pridnestrovie)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090122140602/http://www.fischka.com/e_history.html |date=22 January 2009 }}</ref> turnout was 80% across the rest of the Soviet Union.<ref name=A>[http://www.answers.com/topic/referendum-of-march-1991 Referendum of March 1991] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180802101700/http://www.answers.com/topic/referendum-of-march-1991 |date=2 August 2018 }} Russian History Encyclopedia on Answers.com</ref> 

The referendum's question was approved by nearly 80% of voters in all nine other republics that took part.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=wgtCaPUPIlwC&dq=Soviet+Union+referendum+70%25&pg=PA353 Understanding the Cold War: A Historian's Personal Reflections] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230124204120/https://books.google.com/books?id=wgtCaPUPIlwC&pg=PA353&dq=Soviet+Union+referendum+70%25&hl=nl&sa=X&ei=8R05UcGtMYjHPIKMgLgF&ved=0CC4Q6AEwADgK#v=onepage&q=Soviet%20Union%20referendum%2070%25&f=false|date=24 January 2023}} by [[Adam Bruno Ulam]], [[Leopolis Press]], 2000, {{ISBN|0-9679960-0-7}} (page 353)</ref> However, the [[1991 Soviet coup d'état attempt|August coup attempt]] by [[Hardline|hardliners]] of the [[Communist Party of the Soviet Union|Communist Party]] prevented the anticipated signing of the [[New Union Treaty]] that was due to take place the next day. Although it failed, the coup attempt reduced confidence in Gorbachev's central government. It was followed by a series of [[:Category:Referendums in the Soviet Union|referendums for independence]] in individual republics and led to the [[dissolution of the Soviet Union]] on 26 December 1991.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=EMgOAAAAQAAJ&dq=Soviet+Union%2C+which+was+dissolved+on+26+December+1991&pg=PA1 Russia and the World Economy: Problems of Integration] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230124204121/https://books.google.com/books?id=EMgOAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA1&dq=Soviet+Union,+which+was+dissolved+on+26+December+1991&hl=nl&sa=X&ei=NR85UY6NC8mROPiRgLgO&ved=0CDEQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=Soviet%20Union%2C%20which%20was%20dissolved%20on%2026%20December%201991&f=false|date=24 January 2023}} by [[Alan H. Smith]], [[Routledge]], 1993, {{ISBN|0-415-08925-5}} (page 1)</ref>

==Question==
The following question was asked:
{| class="wikitable"
! [[English language|English]]
! [[Russian language|Russian]]
! [[Ukrainian language|Ukrainian]]
|-
| Do you consider it necessary to preserve the USSR as a renewed federation of equal sovereign republics, which will be fully ensured of human rights and freedoms of any nationality?
| Считаете ли Вы необходимым сохранение Союза Советских Социалистических Республик как обновлённой федерации равноправных суверенных республик, в которой будут в полной мере гарантироваться права и свободы человека любой национальности?
| Чи вважаєте ви за необхідне збереження Союзу Радянських Соціалістичних Республік як оновленої федерації рівноправних суверенних республік, у якій будуть повною мірою гарантуватися права і свободи людини будь-якої національності?
|}

==Overview==
On 24 December 1990, deputies of the 4th [[Congress of People's Deputies of the Soviet Union|Congress of People's Deputies]], having voted by name, decided to consider it necessary to preserve the USSR as a renewed federation of equal sovereign republics, which will be fully ensured human rights and freedoms of any nationality.<ref>Постановление СНД СССР от 24 декабря 1990 года № 1853-1 «О сохранении Союза ССР как обновлённой федерации равноправных суверенных республик» // Ведомости СНД и ВС СССР. — 1990. — № 52. — ст. 1158.</ref> The referendum considered five questions:

*Do you consider it necessary to preserve the USSR as a renewed federation of equal sovereign republics, which will be fully ensured of human rights and freedoms of any nationality? (Yes/No)
*Do you consider it necessary to preserve the USSR as a single state? (Yes/No)
*Do you consider it necessary to preserve the socialist system in the USSR? (Yes/No)
*Do you consider it necessary to preserve the [[Soviet (council)|Soviet]] government in the renewed Union?{{clarify|date=March 2021}} (Yes/No)
*Do you feel the need to safeguard the Union in the renewed human rights and freedoms of any nationality?{{clarify|date=March 2021}} (Yes/No) (Any legal or legislative consequences, in case of acceptance of, or otherwise, was not specified)

On the same day, at the initiative and insistence of [[General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union|General Secretary]] and [[President of the Soviet Union|President]] [[Mikhail Gorbachev]],<ref name="lubarev">''Любарев А. Е.'' [http://lyubarev.narod.ru/elect/book/soderzh.html Выборы в Москве: опыт двенадцати лет. 1989—2000] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201110235833/http://lyubarev.narod.ru/elect/book/soderzh.html |date=10 November 2020 }}. — М.: Стольный град, 2001. — 412 с. — {{ISBN|5-89910-019-2}}.</ref><ref>Съездом было принято два постановления о проведении референдумов по вопросу о частной собственности на землю</ref> the Congress adopted two decisions on holding a referendum on the private ownership of land [6] and on the preservation of the Union as a renewed federation of equal sovereign of Soviet Socialist Republics [7]. For the adoption of the first resolution voted in 1553 deputies, against - 84, abstained - 70. For the adoption of the second resolution voted in 1677 deputies, against - 32, abstained - 66.<ref name="lubarev" />

However, concerning the first decision the Chairman YH Kalmykov later explained at a session of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR Supreme Council Committee for Legislation, the president asked to refrain from holding a referendum on the issue of private property.<ref name="lubarev" />

Second course was given to the [[decree]]. The first was No. 1856-1 "On holding a referendum of the USSR on the issue of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics", dated 24 December 1990:

<blockquote>
[...] due to numerous appeals of workers expressed concern about the fate of the USSR, and given that the preservation of a single union state is the most important issue of public life, affects the interests of each person, all the Soviet Union's population,<ref name="post1856">Постановление СНД СССР от 24 декабря 1990 года № 1856-1 «О проведении референдума СССР по вопросу о Союзе Советских Социалистических Республик» // Ведомости СНД и ВС СССР. — 1990. — № 52. — ст. 1161.</ref> the Congress of People's Deputies USSR decided:

# To conduct a referendum of the USSR to address the issue of maintaining the Union as a renewed federation of equal sovereign Soviet Socialist Republics, taking into account the results of voting for each country separately.
# To instruct the USSR Supreme Council set a date for the referendum and ensure its measures.

&ndash;Resolution of the USSR from LICs December 24, 1990 No. 1856-1<ref name="post1856" />
</blockquote>

On 27 December 1990, Congress of People's Deputies of the USSR decided enact the law "On the popular vote (Soviet Union referendum)", effective immediately. Article 5 of the Law specifies that the right to call a referendum belongs to the Congress of People's Deputies of the USSR, and on matters not related to the exclusive jurisdiction of the USSR Congress of People's Deputies, in the period between congresses – to the Supreme Soviet of the USSR.<ref name="zakon90">Закон СССР от 27 декабря 1990 года № 1869-1 «О всенародном голосовании (референдуме СССР)» // Ведомости СНД и ВС СССР. — 1991. — № 1. — ст. 10.</ref>

On 16 January 1991 the Supreme Council of USSR published Resolution 1910-1 "On the organization and measures to ensure the holding of a referendum of the USSR on the issue of preserving the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics".<ref name="post1910"/>

<blockquote>
Based on the fact that no one, except the people can not take the historical responsibility for the fate of the USSR, pursuant to the decision of the fourth Congress of People's Deputies of the USSR in accordance with the law on the referendum of the USSR. [...] The Supreme Council decides to:

#Carry out the entire territory of the Soviet Union on Sunday, 17 March 1991, for the Soviet Union referendum on the preservation of the Soviet Union as a federation of equal republics.
#Turn on the ballot for secret voting the following wording of the question put to referendum, and the answers of voting:
#:"Do you consider it necessary to preserve the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics as a renewed federation of equal sovereign republics, which will fully guarantee the rights and freedoms of all nationalities."
#:"Yes or no".
# To determine the results of voting by the Union Soviet Socialist Republic as a whole, taking into account the results of voting for each country separately.

&ndash;Resolution of the USSR Supreme Soviet of 16 January 1991 № 1910-1<ref name="post1910">Постановление ВС СССР от 16 января 1991 года № 1910-1 «Об организации и мерах по обеспечению проведения референдума СССР по вопросу о сохранении Союза Советских Социалистических Республик» // Ведомости СНД и ВС СССР. 1991. — № 4. — ст. 87.</ref></blockquote>

==Results==
{{Referendum results
|for=113512812
|against=32303977
|invalid=2757817
|electorate=185647355
|source=Nohlen & Stöver<ref name=NS>[[Dieter Nohlen]] & Philip Stöver (2010) ''Elections in Europe: A data handbook'', p1647 {{ISBN|978-3-8329-5609-7}}</ref>
}}

===In participating republics===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:right"
|-
!rowspan=2 style="width:500px"|Republic and Autonomous Oblast
!colspan=2|For
!colspan=2|Against
!rowspan=2|Invalid<br/>votes
!rowspan=2|Total<br/>votes
!rowspan=2|Registered<br/>voters
!rowspan=2|Turnout
|-
!Votes
!%
!Votes
!%
|-
|align=center style="background-color:#EEEEFF"|{{Flagicon image|Flag of Russian SFSR.svg}} '''[[Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic|Russian SFSR]]'''||56,860,783||style="background:lightgreen;"|73.00||21,030,753||27.00||1,809,633||79,701,169||105,643,364||75.44
|-
|align=left|{{Flagicon image|Flag of Bashkir ASSR.svg}} [[Bashkir Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic|Bashkiria]]||1,908,875||style="background:lightgreen;"|85.9||269,007||12.1||43,276||2,221,158||2,719,637||81.7
|-
|align=left|{{Flagicon image|Flag of Buryat ASSR (1978).svg}} [[Buryat Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic|Buryatia]]||447,438||style="background:lightgreen;"|83.5||78,167||14.6||10,197||535,802||668,231||80.2
|-
|align=left|{{Flagicon image|Flag of Dagestan ASSR.svg}} [[Dagestan Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic|Dagestan]]||670,488||style="background:lightgreen;"|82.6||131,522||16.2||9,999||812,009||1,008,626||80.5
|-
|align=left|{{Flagicon image|Flag of Kabarda-Balkaria ASSR 1978.svg}} [[Kabardino-Balkarian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic|Kabardino-Balkaria]]||290,380||style="background:lightgreen;"|77.9||77,339||20.8||4,888||372,607||489,436||76.1
|-
|align=left|{{Flagicon image|Flag of Kalmyk ASSR.svg}} [[Kalmyk Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic|Kalmykia]]||148,462||style="background:lightgreen;"|87.8||17,833||10.5||2,829||169,124||204,301||82.8
|-
|align=left|{{Flagicon image|Flag of Karelian ASSR.svg}} [[Karelian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic|Karelia]]||317,854||style="background:lightgreen;"|76.0||92,703||22.0||7,544||418,101||551,644||75.8
|-
|align=left|{{Flagicon image|Flag of Komi ASSR.svg}} [[Komi Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic|Komi]]||412,842||style="background:lightgreen;"|76.0||119,678||22.0||10,883||543,403||797,049||75.44
|-
|align=left|{{Flagicon image|Flag of Mari ASSR.svg}} [[Mari Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic|Mari]]||333,319||style="background:lightgreen;"|79.6||77,239||18.5||8,041||418,599||525,685||79.6
|-
|align=left|{{Flagicon image|Flag of Mordva ASSR.svg}} [[Mordovian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic|Mordovia]]||459,021||style="background:lightgreen;"|80.3||101,886||17.8||10,724||571,631||677,706||84.3
|-
|align=left|{{Flagicon image|Flag of North Ossetian ASSR.svg}} [[North Ossetian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic|North Ossetia]]||331,823||style="background:lightgreen;"|90.2||32,786||8.9||3,249||367,858||428,307||85.9
|-
|align=left|{{Flagicon image|Flag of Tatar ASSR.svg}} [[Tatar Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic|Tatarstan]]||1,708,193||style="background:lightgreen;"|87.5||211,516||10.8||32,059||1,951,768||2,532,383||77.1
|-
|align=left|{{Flagicon image|Flag of Tuvan ASSR (1978-1992).svg}} [[Tuvan Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic|Tuva]]||126,598||style="background:lightgreen;"|91.4||9,404||6.8||2,494||138,496||171,731||80.6
|-
|align=left|{{Flagicon image|Flag of Udmurt ASSR.svg}} [[Udmurt Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic|Udmurtia]]||622,714||style="background:lightgreen;"|76.0||180,289||22.0||16,137||819,140||1,103,083||74.3
|-
|align=left|{{Flagicon image|Flag of Chechen-Ingush ASSR 1978.svg}} [[Checheno-Ingush Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic|Checheno-Ingushetia]]||318,059||style="background:lightgreen;"|75.9||94,737||22.6||6,216||419,012||712,139||58.8
|-
|align=left|{{Flagicon image|Flag of Chuvash ASSR.svg}} [[Chuvash Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic|Chuvashia]]||616,387||style="background:lightgreen;"|82.4||113,249||15.1||18,784||748,420||900,913||81.3
|-
|align=left|{{Flagicon image|Flag of Yakut ASSR 1978.svg}} [[Yakut Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic|Yakutia]]||415,712||style="background:lightgreen;"|76.7||116,798||21.6||9,483||541,993||688,679||78.7
|-
|align=center style="background-color:#EEEEFF"|{{Flagicon image|Flag of Byelorussian SSR.svg}} '''[[Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic|Byelorussia]]'''||5,069,313||style="background:lightgreen;"|83.72||986,079||16.28||71,591||6,126,983||7,354,796||83.31
|-
|align=center style="background-color:#EEEEFF"|{{Flagicon image|Flag of Ukrainian SSR.svg}} '''[[Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic|Ukraine]]'''||22,110,899||style="background:lightgreen;"|71.48||8,820,089||28.52||583,256||31,514,244||37,732,178||83.52
|-
|align=left|{{Flagicon image|Flag of the Gagauz people.svg}} [[Gagauz Republic|Gagauzia]] ([[Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic|Moldavia]])|| ||style="background:lightgreen;"| || || || || || || 
|-
|align=left|{{Flagicon image|Flag of the Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic (1952–1990).svg}} [[Pridnestrovian Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic|Transnistria]] ([[Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic|Moldavia]])|| ||style="background:lightgreen;"| || || || || || || 
|-
|align=left|{{Flagicon image|Flag of the Abkhaz ASSR.svg}} [[Abkhaz Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic|Abkhazia]] ([[Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic|Georgia]])||164,231||style="background:lightgreen;"|98.5||1,566||0.9||747||166,544||318,317||52.3
|-
|align=left|{{Flagicon image|Flag of the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic (1951–1990).svg}} [[South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast|South Ossetia]] ([[Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic|Georgia]])|| ||style="background:lightgreen;"| || || || || || || 
|-
|align=center style="background-color:#EEEEFF"|{{Flagicon image|Flag of Azerbaijan (1991–2013).svg}} '''[[Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic|Azerbaijan]]'''||2,709,246||style="background:lightgreen;"|94.12||169,225||5.88||25,326||2,903,797||3,866,659||75.10
|-
|align=left|{{Flagicon image|Flag of Azerbaijan (1991–2013).svg}} [[Nakhichevan Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic|Nakhichevan]]||31,328||style="background:lightgreen;"|87.3||3,620||10.1||918||35,866||174,364||20.6
|-
|align=center style="background-color:#EEEEFF"|{{Flagicon image|Flag of Kazakh SSR.svg}} '''[[Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic|Kazakhstan]]'''||8,295,519||style="background:lightgreen;"|95.00||436,560||5.00||84,464||8,816,543||9,999,433||88.17
|-
|align=center style="background-color:#EEEEFF"|{{Flagicon image|Flag of Kyrgyz SSR.svg}} '''[[Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic|Kirghizia]]'''||2,057,971||style="background:lightgreen;"|95.98||86,246||4.02||30,377||2,174,593||2,341,646||92.87
|-
|align=center style="background-color:#EEEEFF"|{{Flagicon image|Flag of Tajik SSR.svg}} '''[[Tajik Soviet Socialist Republic|Tajikistan]]'''||2,315,755||style="background:lightgreen;"|96.85||75,300||3.15||16,497||2,407,552||2,549,096||94.45
|-
|align=center style="background-color:#EEEEFF"|{{Flagicon image|Flag of Turkmen SSR.svg}} '''[[Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic|Turkmenia]]'''||1,766,584||style="background:lightgreen;"|98.26||31,203||1.74||6,531||1,804,310||1,846,310||97.66
|-
|align=center style="background-color:#EEEEFF"|{{Flagicon image|Flag of the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic.svg}} '''[[Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic|Uzbekistan]]'''||9,196,848||style="background:lightgreen;"|94.73||511,373||5.27||108,112||9,816,333||10,287,938||95.42
|-
|align=left|{{Flagicon image|Flag of Karakalpak ASSR.svg}} [[Karakalpak Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic|Karakalpakstan]]||563,916||style="background:lightgreen;"|97.6||10,133||1.8||3,668||577,717||584,208||98.9
|- class="sortbottom"
|align=left colspan=10|Source: [http://www.sudd.ch/event.php?lang=en&id=su011991 Direct Democracy]
|}

=== In republics not participating in the Soviet referendums ===

An official referendum had been [[1991 Estonian independence referendum|held in Estonia]] on 3 March 1991 on whether to restore the Estonian republic that had been occupied by the Soviet Union in 1940. The result was 77.8% in favour of restoring the Estonian republic.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.riigikogu.ee/index.php?id=34582 |title=Chronology |date=6 September 2012 }}</ref> Latvia also [[1991 Latvian independence and democracy referendum|held an official referendum]] on 3 March 1991, when the overwhelming majority voted to restore the independent Latvian republic. Lithuania [[1991 Lithuanian independence referendum|had held a referendum]] on 9 February 1991, in which 93% of voters had approved independence.

Georgia was to [[1991 Georgian independence referendum|hold its own independence referendum]] two weeks later, and [[1991 Armenian independence referendum|Armenia on 21 September]].

Consequently, in these republics,  pro-Soviet front-organisations organised voluntary referendums without official sanction.<ref>Об итогах референдума СССР, состоявшегося 17 марта 1991 года (Из сообщения Центральной комиссии референдума СССР) // Известия. — 1991. — 27 марта.</ref><ref>{{in lang|ru}} [http://www.vremyababurin.narod.ru/Num5_2001/N5_2001.html Воля, которую мы потеряли... "Время" № 5. 16 марта 2001 года] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110919222122/http://www.vremyababurin.narod.ru/Num5_2001/N5_2001.html |date=19 September 2011 }}</ref> Turnout of voting here was considerably less than 50% of the franchised voters of these countries{{fact|date=September 2023}}, but this information was not included in the official statement of the Central Commission of the Referendum of USSR.<ref>{{in lang|ru}}[https://archive.today/20120710231411/http://new.hse.ru/sites/tp/isakov/1990-1996dn/71/1/%D0%A1%D0%BE%D0%BE%D0%B1%D1%89%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%B5%20%D0%BE%D0%B1%20%D0%B8%D1%82%D0%BE%D0%B3%D0%B0%D1%85%20%D1%80%D0%B5%D1%84%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B4%D1%83%D0%BC%D0%B0%20%D0%A1%D0%A1%D0%A1%D0%A0%2017%20%D0%BC%D0%B0%D1%80%D1%82%D0%B0%201991%20%D0%B3%D0%BE%D0%B4%D0%B0.htm Сообщение Центральной комиссии референдума СССР об итогах референдума СССР, состоявшегося 17 марта 1991 года] // Правда. — 1991. — 27 марта.</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:right"
|-
!rowspan=2 style="width:500px"|Republic and Autonomous Oblast
!colspan=2|For
!colspan=2|Against
!rowspan=2|Invalid<br/>votes
!rowspan=2|Total<br/>votes
!rowspan=2|Registered<br/>voters<br/>(not equal to<br/>franchised voters)
!rowspan=2|Turnout<br/>(based on<br/>registered,<br/>not franchised voters)
|-
!Votes
!%
!Votes
!%
|-
|align=center style="background-color:#EEEEFF"|{{Flagicon image|Flag of Armenia.svg}} '''[[Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic|Armenia]]'''||2,541||style="background:lightgreen;"|72.46||966||27.54||42||3,549||4,923||72.09
|-
|align=left|{{Flagicon image|Flag of the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic (1952–1991).svg}} [[Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast|Nagorno-Karabakh]] ([[Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic|Azerbaijan]])|| ||style="background:lightgreen;"| || || || || || || 
|-
|align=center style="background-color:#EEEEFF"|{{Flagicon image|Flag of Georgia (1990–2004).svg}} '''[[Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic|Georgia]]'''{{efn|Referendum was held only in [[Abkhaz Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic|Abkhazia]] and [[South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast|South Ossetia]]}}||43,950||style="background:lightgreen;"|99.98||9||0.02||53||44,012||45,696||96.31
|-
|align=center style="background-color:#EEEEFF"|{{Flagicon image|Flag of Moldova.svg}} '''[[Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic|Moldova]]'''||688,905||style="background:lightgreen;"|98.72||8,916||1.28||3,072||700,893||841,507||83.29
|-
|align=center style="background-color:#EEEEFF"|{{Flagicon image|Flag of Estonia.svg}} '''[[Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic|Estonia]]'''||211,090||style="background:lightgreen;"|95.46||10,040||4.54||1,110||222,240||299,681||74.16
|-
|align=center style="background-color:#EEEEFF"|{{Flagicon image|Flag of Latvia.svg}} '''[[Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic|Latvia]]'''||415,147||style="background:lightgreen;"|95.84||18,015||4.16||3,621||436,783||670,828||65.11
|-
|align=center style="background-color:#EEEEFF"|{{Flagicon image|Flag of Lithuania (1988–2004).svg}} '''[[Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic|Lithuania]]'''||496,050||style="background:lightgreen;"|99.13||4,355||0.87||970||436,783||582,262||86.11
|- class="sortbottom"
|align=left colspan=10|Source: [http://www.sudd.ch/event.php?lang=en&id=su011991 Direct Democracy]
|}

==Additional questions==
In several of the republics, additional questions were added to the ballot. In Russia, an additional [[1991 Russian presidential referendum|question was asked]] on whether an [[Direct elections|elective]] post of the [[president of Russia]] should be created. In [[Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic|Kirghizia]], [[Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic|Ukraine]] and [[Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic|Uzbekistan]] the additional question was on the [[sovereignty]] of their [[Republics of the Soviet Union|republics]] as part of a [[Union of Sovereign States|new union]].<ref name=A/>

===Kirghizia===
In [[Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic|Kirghizia]], voters were also asked "Do you agree that the Republic of Kirghizistan should be in the renewed Union as a sovereign republic with equal rights?" It was approved by 62.2% of voters, although turnout was lower at 81.7%, compared to 92.9% in the Union-wide referendum.<ref>Nohlen et al., p443</ref>

{{Referendum results
|forpct=62.2
|againstpct=37.8
|source=Nohlen ''et al.''
}}

===Ukraine===
{{Main|1991 Ukrainian sovereignty referendum}}
In [[Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic|Ukraine]], voters were also asked "Do you agree that Ukraine should be part of a Union of Soviet sovereign states on the basis on the [[Declaration of State Sovereignty of Ukraine]]?"<ref name=N2>Nohlen & Stöver, p1985</ref> The proposal was approved by 81.7% of voters.<ref name=N2/> Ukraine later held [[1991 Ukrainian independence referendum|its own referendum]] on 1 December, in which 92% voted for independence.

{{Referendum results
|for=25224687
|against=5655701
|invalid=584703
|electorate=37689767
|source=Nohlen & Stöver
}}

At the same day a referendum in the [[Galicia (Eastern Europe)|Galicia]]n  [[Oblasts of Ukraine|provinces]] [[Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast|Ivano-Frankivsk]], [[Lviv Oblast|Lviv]], and [[Ternopil Oblast|Ternopil]] asked the three regions of the USSR about the creation of independent state of Ukraine.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=Y06eqVKtfQgC&dq=Referendum+of+Galicia+1991&pg=PA134 Dissolution: Sovereignty and the Breakup of the Soviet Union]{{Dead link|date=February 2019|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}} by [[Edward W. Walker]], [[Rowman & Littlefield]], 2003, {{ISBN|0742524523}} (134)</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=zo9t6NS-YCwC&dq=Ivano-Frankivsk%2C+Lviv%2C+and+Ternopil+march+1991&pg=PA3 The Ukrainian West: Culture and the Fate of Empire in Soviet Lviv] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230124204127/https://books.google.com/books?id=zo9t6NS-YCwC&pg=PA3&lpg=PA3&dq=Ivano-Frankivsk,+Lviv,+and+Ternopil+march+1991&source=bl&ots=JB5dG4uq0c&sig=6Fsz3xPYJV8JYGAPoVg5oc2G-x4&hl=nl&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi33MOY3MbLAhVDRg8KHXh0D3sQ6AEIIDAC#v=onepage&q=Ivano-Frankivsk%2C%20Lviv%2C%20and%20Ternopil%20march%201991&f=false|date=24 January 2023}} by [[William Jay Risch]], [[Harvard University Press]], 2011, {{ISBN|0674050010}}, (page 4)</ref> 88% of the voters in this referendum supported Ukraine's independence.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=71YxBgAAQBAJ&dq=Referendum+of+Galicia+1991&pg=PA101 Cleft Countries: Regional Political Divisions and Cultures in Post-Soviet Ukraine and Moldova (Soviet and Post-Soviet Politics and Society 33)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230124204127/https://books.google.com/books?id=71YxBgAAQBAJ&pg=PA101&lpg=PA101&dq=Referendum+of+Galicia+1991&source=bl&ots=x3s4X3uLps&sig=dMAgZL8XdgWzAc6MHeelj5F50tE&hl=nl&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjA0ubH18bLAhXBew8KHZlMDx8Q6AEIIjAC#v=onepage&q=Referendum%20of%20Galicia%201991&f=false|date=24 January 2023}} by [[Ivan Katchanovski]], 2006, {{ISBN|389821558X}} (page 40)</ref>

===Uzbekistan===
In [[Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic|Uzbekistan]], voters were also asked "Do you agree that Uzbekistan should remain part of a renewed Union (federation) as a sovereign republic with equal rights?" It was approved by 94.9% of voters, with a turnout of 95.5%.<ref name="N1"/> On 29 December 98% of Uzbeks would [[1991 Uzbek independence election|vote for full independence]].

{{Referendum results
|forpct=94.9
|againstpct=5.1
|invalid=
|totalvotes=9824304
|electorate=10287938
|source=Nohlen ''et al.''
}}

== Aftermath ==
{{expand section|date=April 2024}} 
For further reading on subsequent events:
* {{multi-section link|Dissolution of the Soviet Union|1990|Western republics}}
* [[August Coup]]

==See also==
{{Portal|Soviet Union|Politics}}
*[[Dissolution of the Soviet Union]]

==Notes==
{{Noteslist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Wikiquote-inline|Soviet Union}}

{{Soviet elections}}
{{Kyrgyzstani elections}}
{{Ukrainian elections}}
{{Uzbekistani elections}}
{{1991 Independence of Ukraine}}

[[Category:1991 referendums|Soviet Union]]
[[Category:1991 in the Soviet Union|Referendum]]
[[Category:Dissolution of the Soviet Union]]
[[Category:Referendums in Azerbaijan]]
[[Category:Referendums in Belarus]]
[[Category:Referendums in Kazakhstan]]
[[Category:Referendums in Kyrgyzstan]]
[[Category:Referendums in Russia]]
[[Category:Referendums in the Soviet Union]]
[[Category:Referendums in Tajikistan]]
[[Category:Referendums in Turkmenistan]]
[[Category:Referendums in Ukraine]]
[[Category:Referendums in Uzbekistan]]
[[Category:Perestroika]]
[[Category:Sovereignty referendums]]
[[Category:March 1991 events in Asia|Soviet]]
[[Category:March 1991 events in Europe|Soviet]] 
[[Category:March 1991 events in the Soviet Union]]
[[Category:Election and referendum articles with incomplete results]]