1991 Macedonian independence referendum

An independence referendum was held in the Socialist Republic of Macedonia on 8 September 1991, which afterwards proclaimed independence from Yugoslavia.^[1] It was approved by 96% of voters, with a turnout of 76%.

1991 Macedonian independence referendum

8 September 1991 (1991-09-08)
Are you for a sovereign and independent state of Macedonia, with a right to enter into any future alliance with the sovereign states of Yugoslavia?
Results
Choice Votes  % Yes 1,079,308 96.46% No 39,639 3.54% Valid votes 1,118,947 98.79% Invalid or blank votes 13,648 1.21% Total votes 1,132,595 100.00% Registered voters/turnout 1,495,807 75.72%

The referendum question was ambiguous and read: "Are you for a sovereign and independent state of Macedonia, with a right to enter into any future alliance with the sovereign states of Yugoslavia?" This retained the right of the state to join an alliance of some revived future version of Yugoslavia.^[2]

According to some reports, 8 September was chosen as the date for the referendum to link it with the 8 September 1944 proclamation of the Independent State of Macedonia.^[3] 8 September is now celebrated as Independence Day.

Results

Choice		Votes	%
For		1,079,308	96.46
Against		39,639	3.54
Total		1,118,947	100.00
Valid votes		1,118,947	98.79
Invalid/blank votes		13,648	1.21
Total votes		1,132,595	100.00
Registered voters/turnout		1,495,807	75.72
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

References

1. Dieter Nohlen and Philip Stöver (2010) Elections in Europe: A Data Handbook, p. 1278 ISBN 978-3-8329-5609-7
2. Pridham, Geoffrey; Gallagher, Tom, eds. (2000). "Macedonia: An unlikely road to democracy". Experimenting with Democracy: Regime Change in the Balkans. London: Routledge. p. 250. ISBN 9780415187268.
3. Утрински весник, Брoj 2781 сабота, 06 септември 2008. Киро Кипроски, Од каталогот на поштенски марки на југословенските држави издаден во 1978 година.