"So what? Just ignore it then." + If a considerable number of people ignore a referendum it loses it's legitimacy. "As for the majority of votes, just tally t

"So what? Just ignore it then." + If a considerable number of people ignore a referendum it loses it's legitimacy. "As for the majority of votes, just tally them vs total population. Simple." No. Absolutely not. This is not how either elections or referendums are done. "Oh bullshit, have you ever seen any political party say anything 100% clearly, that's just raising the bar." I'm afraid you are dead wrong. The 'wording' of a referendum is a very important and contentious thing - otherwise it loses legitimacy and legal standing. As for 'bullshit' - there is actually a law in Canada, called the 'Clarity Act' that legally requires referendum questions to be clear. This is because separatists want to soften the wording of the question 'i.e. we seek to renegotiate our status' - thereby getting the 10% or so on board who really don't want to separate, but want more power. Those against the referendum want a hard question like: "Do you want to separate from XYZ and loses your passport" etc.. "If it's a small minority voting, then why should they care?" Because the political entities who directed the 'bad referendum' will use it as political capital to flame the flames. Either it's done right - or not at all. Ambiguous referendums are a disaster for everyone.