1997 Polish constitutional referendum

A constitutional referendum was held in Poland on 25 May 1997.^[1] It was decreed by then-President Aleksander Kwaśniewski on the day the National Assembly adopted the Constitution.^[2] Voters were asked whether they approved of a new constitution, and replace the temporary constitution from 1992. It was narrowly approved, with 53.45% voting in favour.^[3] Voter turnout was 43%,^[3] below the 50% required by the 1995 Referendum Act to validate the referendum. However, the Supreme Court ruled on 15 July that the 1992 'small' constitution (which did not contain turnout requirements) took precedence over the Referendum Act and that the constitution could be introduced.^[4]

1997 Polish constitutional referendum

25 May 1997 (1997-05-25)
Are you in favor of the adoption of the Constitution of the Republic of Poland passed by the National Assembly on April 2, 1997?
Paper ballot that was used in the referendum, without the PKW stamp.
Results
Choice Votes  % Yes 6,396,641 53.45% No 5,570,493 46.55% Valid votes 11,967,134 98.60% Invalid or blank votes 170,002 1.40% Total votes 12,137,136 100.00% Registered voters/turnout 28,319,650 42.86%
Results by voivodeship For:      50–60%      >60% Against:      50–60%      60–70%      >70%

Question

Are you in favor of the adoption of the Constitution of the Republic of Poland passed by the National Assembly on April 2, 1997?

Ballot

The text (translated from Polish) on the paper ballot was as follows:

BALLOT PAPER

in the constitutional referendum ordered by the President of the Republic of Poland for May 25, 1997.

Question:

Are you in favor of the adoption of the Constitution of the Republic of Poland passed by the National Assembly on April 2, 1997?

☐ YES    ☐ NO

Instructions on how to vote

The voter answers the question by placing a mark in the box next to the answer “YES” or “NO” in the form of two intersecting lines (“x” or “+”) within the box.

Placing a mark in both boxes or not placing a mark in any box will result in the vote being invalid.

place for the seal
of the district commission
for referendum matters

printed imprint
of the National
Electoral Commission seal

Results

Choice		Votes	%
For		6,396,641	53.45
Against		5,570,493	46.55
Total		11,967,134	100.00
Valid votes		11,967,134	98.60
Invalid/blank votes		170,002	1.40
Total votes		12,137,136	100.00
Registered voters/turnout		28,319,650	42.86
Source: [5]