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Italians headed to the polls on Sunday and Monday to vote in a national referendum that could make it easier for immigrants to apply for Italian citizenship.
The proposal aims to cut the required residency period from 10 years to five.
But the result depends not just on votes — it hinges on whether enough people show up to cast them, according to a report by The New York Times.
For the referendum to be valid, over 50% of eligible voters must participate.
A simple majority is then needed for the law to pass. With voter turnout in past referendums low, observers are unsure whether that threshold will be met.
If approved, the change would allow nearly 1.5 million foreign residents to apply for citizenship, including about 300,000 minors.
The proposal is opposed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and her right-wing coalition.
Progressive parties are backing the change.
As per the report by NYT, the referendum comes at a time when Italy, long a nation of emigrants, is now home to many immigrants from Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Eastern Europe.
However, Italy still has one of the strictest citizenship laws in Europe. Non-EU immigrants can apply for citizenship only after 10 years of uninterrupted residency.
Children born in Italy to immigrant parents must wait until they turn 18 and prove continuous residency from birth.
Supporters say the current law leaves many people living and working in Italy without full rights.
“They pay taxes, they abide by the laws, but they are not politically included,” said Maarten Vink, director at the Global Citizenship Observatory.
“In a democracy, that’s not a good principle.”
The referendum also highlights changing views in Italian society.
Fioralba Duma, an activist from Albania who has lived in Italy most of her life but is not a citizen, told NYT, “It’s a pivotal moment for how Italy sees itself and how it wants to build its future.”
Opponents of the measure argue it would make citizenship too easy to obtain.
Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini called it “dangerous” and said it would extend citizenship “indiscriminately.”
Low voter turnout could be the biggest hurdle. In 2022, only 20% of voters participated in another referendum.
“The citizens have stopped voting,” said Michele Ainis, a constitutional law professor at Roma Tre University.
The vote also includes four other questions related to labour laws.
However, many say public awareness of the referendum is low.
Activists have accused Italy’s public broadcaster, Rai, of providing limited coverage, though Rai claims it offered more coverage than for the 2022 vote.
Adding to the complexity, many immigrants and those with immigrant roots who support the change will not vote — because they are not yet citizens.
Prime Minister Meloni has said she will go to the polls but will abstain from voting. Other politicians opposing the referendum have said they will not vote at all.
Results are expected after polls close Monday afternoon.
