Bolivia

Bolivia has become the globe's most referendum-happy state. Provinces there have been holding referenda on greater autonomy from the central government. Earlier this summer, President Evo Morales remained in office after surviving a referendum. Now Morales, who is engaged in a struggle with those provinces over his plans to make the economy more socialist, is putting his proposals to the public in a Dec. 7 referendum. If he wins, he may see provinces leave the country. And that could lead to civil war.

Partial results show a big victory for those supporting "autonomy" for the gas-rich province of Tarija. It's the fourth Bolivian province to vote for autonomy from the central government this year. A recall vote on President Evo Morales is scheduled for August. Morales says that, if he survives the recall, he will push for a new constitution that would put more power in the hands of the central government. Given Bolivia history, it's possible that in that country, these autonomy referenda aer serving as a prelude to civil war.

COULD VOTE SPARK COUP? Thailand's premier wants to hold a referendum in July asking voters there whether they support amending the country's constitution. That constitution was drafted largely by the military, and  there is fear in Thailand that the premier's push for a referendum could bring on a military coup.

NUCLEAR ITALY: Italian voters closed down their nuclear power industry by referendum in 1987. But the new government there wants to start construction on a new nuclear power plant in 2013. That should require another popular vote, though the government isn't saying.,

VOTING ON LAND: The Israeli Knesset is considering a bill that would require a vote of the people before the country gives up any of its territory, including the Golan, a subject of the newly disclosed direct talks with Syria.

HUNGARY HEALTH REPEAL: Hungary may repeal its health care law, which is unpopular because of high fees, and thus make a planned referendum vote on the legislation unnecessary.

Today voters in the Bolivian province of Santa Cruz overwhelmingly approved a measure providing for financial and security autonomy for the province. The country's president Evo Morales questioned the legality of the referendum and claimed that the measure had "failed." The conduct of Morales and his government fueled the referendum; the president has sought to nationalize industries in Santa Cruz as part of his goal of making the economy socialist. Morales called for talks with Santa Cruz and other provinces that are contemplating similar autonomy votes.

BURMESE MAY 10 REFERENDUM HAS AN INVITATION LIST: This video is a news report from Singapore, where citizens of Myanmar are lining up to vote at the country's embassy there. But it's not enough to be a Burmese citizen. This constitutional referendum offered by Myanmar's military junta is such a sham that it has an invitation list! And many of the Burmese lined up to vote -- and interviewed for this report -- aren't on it.