into effect. Such a referendum has been held on three occasions: in 1998, 1999 and 2007 The Constitution limits issues which can be submitted to a referendum. It forbids issues like budgets, taxes, military conscription, declarations of war, peace treaties, agreements with other nations, etc. One tenth of the electorate can request amendment of the Constitution or adoption of a law. If the Parliament does not accept the amendment or the draft law, then it will be submitted to a referendum. Certain parts of the Constitution can be amended only by a referendum. An absolute majority (majority of all electors, regardless of voter turnout) is required for an amendment or a draft law to pass on such a referendum. The exception is decisions regarding Latvia's membership of the EU or substantial changes in the terms of membership of the EU - those measures need a voter turnout of 50% of the number of voters who participated in the last elections for the Parliament. Amendments to the Constitution have been put to a referendum in 2 cases: in 2008 and 2012; the same was done for a draft law in 2008 and a European Union membership referendum was held in 2003. There have been 13 referendums in Latvia's history: 4 in the 1923–1934 period and 9 since 1991. See also Electoral calendar Electoral system References External links Adam Carr's Election Archive Parties and Elections in Europe National Elections Commission of Latvia OSCE reports on Latvian elections NSD: European Election Database - Latvia publishes regional level election data; allows for comparisons of election results, 1990-2010