1976 Saint Pierre and Miquelon status referendum

7 March 1976 Do you accept the bill concerning the departmentalization of the archipelago? French version fr Acceptez-vous le projet de loi portant départementalisation de l'archipel? Saint Pierre and Miquelon 26 4,695 Yes Yes, under duress No 8.45 62.61 28.94 An unofficial referendum on becoming an overseas department was held in Saint Pierre and Miquelon on 7 March 1976. The ballot was notable for the inclusion of the protest vote fr Oui, contraint et forcé (Yes, under duress), which received the most votes. Background At the time of the referendum, Saint Pierre and Miquelon was classified as an overseas territory, granting it a high degree of autonomy. However, by the 1970s, the French government began a push to transition the territory into an overseas department, a move that was met largely with local opposition.April 2026 A draft bill providing for the departmentalization of the islands was tabled in the French Senate on 7 January 1976.Documents déposés au Sénat - session 1975-1976 https://www.senat.fr/dossiers-legislatifs/depots/depots-1975.html 2026-04-22 Sénat fr-FR In response, the referendum was convened by the mayors of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon-Langlade, despite disapproval from the islands' deputy and the member of the Economic and Social Council. Results 26 3645 Direct Democracy Yes 125 Yes, under duress 926 No 428 Aftermath The results of the referendum were not recognized by the General Council or the French National Assembly. On 19 July 1976 the bill was ratified and Saint Pierre and Miquelon became an overseas department.19 juillet 1976 https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT000000684772 n° 76-664 Nine years later, on 11 June 1985, the archipelago was reorganized to a territorial collectivity.11 juin 1985 https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/loda/id/JORFTEXT000000693671 n° 85-595 References Saint Pierre Category:Referendums in Saint Pierre and Miquelon