2010 Martiniquean status referendum

A referendum on becoming an overseas territory was held in Martinique on 10 January 2010.^[1] The proposal was rejected by 79% of voters, with a turnout of 55%.^[1] A simultaneous referendum was rejected in French Guiana.^[2]

2010 Martiniquean status referendum

10 January 2010
Do you approve of the transformation of Martinique into an overseas collectivity governed by article 74 of the Constitution, endowed with a particular organization taking into account its own interests within the Republic?
Results
Choice Votes  % Yes 32,954 20.69% No 126,298 79.31% Valid votes 159,252 96.99% Invalid or blank votes 4,946 3.01% Total votes 164,198 100.00% Registered voters/turnout 296,802 55.32%

Background

French President Nicolas Sarkozy proposed the referendum after visiting the Caribbean island of Martinique in June 2009.^[3] The French overseas departments of Martinique and Guadeloupe had suffered prolonged general strikes in early 2009, due to low wages and standards of living.^[3]

Martiniquean voters were asked whether they wanted more power to be given to the local government based in Fort-de-France.^[3] Martinique was an overseas region and an overseas department of France, regulated by the article 73 of the French Constitution, giving it the same political status as metropolitan departments and regions. The proposed change would have led to it becoming an overseas collectivity, regulated by the article 74 of the French Constitution, similar to French Polynesia.^[4]

Results

Choice		Votes	%
For		32,954	20.69
Against		126,298	79.31
Total		159,252	100.00
Valid votes		159,252	96.99
Invalid/blank votes		4,946	3.01
Total votes		164,198	100.00
Registered voters/turnout		296,802	55.32
Source: Direct Democracy