Polling stations remain open until 3 p.m. for Italy’s constitutional referendum on judicial reform, with turnout already showing strong momentum. By 11 p.m. on Sunday, participation had reached 46.07%, significantly higher than the 39.37% recorded at the same time during the 2020 referendum on reducing the number of MPs.
Turnout has been particularly strong in central and northern regions. In total, around 51.5 million voters are eligible to cast their ballots, including approximately 5.5 million Italians living abroad.
The vote concerns a constitutional law approved on October 30, 2025, covering the structure of the judiciary and the creation of a new disciplinary court. As the bill did not secure a two-thirds majority in Parliament on its second reading, it is subject to a confirmatory referendum, which does not require a quorum.
At the heart of the reform is the separation of judicial careers: judges and public prosecutors, currently part of the same body, would be placed under separate governing councils. Each council would be chaired by the President of the Republic and composed of a mix of magistrates and legal experts.
The reform also introduces a High Disciplinary Court with 15 members, tasked with overseeing disciplinary proceedings involving magistrates. Supporters argue the changes would strengthen independence and consistency, while voters are now left to decide on a reform that would significantly reshape Italy’s judicial system.