A plebiscite is a direct vote in which the electorate is invited to decide on a specific issue, often related to constitutional changes or independence of a region. Unlike regular elections, which select representatives, plebiscites gauge public opinion on significant matters and can carry greater political weight. They are used in exceptional circumstances when a government seeks clear public support for a particular policy or change. Plebiscites can also help legitimize actions taken by the government, although their outcomes may lead to polarization and can provoke controversy, depending on how they are conducted and the issues at stake.