THRESHOLDS AND CITIZEN CONSULTATIONS IN COLOMBIA. REFLECTIONS ON THE REFORMS FOR THE PEACE PLEBISCITE

Abstract

This article contrasts the literature and international experience regarding quorums and majorities in citizen consultations using the Colombian case, where reforms were adopted for the peace plebiscite in 2016. While the questions in other consultations had broad support but failed to surpass the required percentage of participation, the application of an approval quorum in the peace plebiscite forced the electorate to assume one of the two positions at stake, increasing participation and legitimizing the results. However, the reforms were employed amid fervent controversies and for a single event; thus, through examining the arguments for and against them and analyzing the case, this paper seeks to open a discussion on the convenience of extending the design innovations in terms of quorums to the set of mechanisms for citizen consultation in the country.