1985 Ostric devolution referendum

1985 Ostric devolution referendum
Do you agree with the proposal of the Reichstag of the Land of the Weranic Crown to create an Ostric subdivision under the administration of a Free State? Weranic: Stimmen Sie dem Vorschlag des Reichstags des Landes der Ostischen Krone zu, eine Ostreie Unterteilung unter der Verwaltung eines Freistaates zu schaffen? Ostric: Czë pòdpisywôsz sã z bédowanią Reichstagù Krôju Wërańkéj Kòronë o ùsôdzu teritoriumù òstrsczégo pòd zarządôm Wòlnégo Państwô?
Location	Ostry, Werania
Date	3 April 1985
Results Votes % Yes 15,205 7001893700000000000♠89.37% No 1,809 7001106300000000000♠10.63% Total votes 17,014 100.00% Registered voters/turnout 17,993 7001945600000000000♠94.56%

A referendum on devolution was held on the Weranic island of Ostry on 3 April 1985, and concerned the proposed separation of Ostry from the Kingdom of Roetenberg and the creation of its own status as a Free State with its own legislature. The referendum was part of a federal reform of administrative divisions, meant to devolve certain powers away from the federal government and to the local level. The proposal passed with 89% approval, and with a record turnout of 95% of the electorate.

Background

Ostry was first absorbed into the Ahnemunde Confederation in [TBD], and stayed within Weranic control for the majority of its modern history, excluding de facto independence during the final years of the Great War. Despite consistent occupation from the mainland and attempts to Weranicize the distinct Slavic-speaking native population, Ostry remained culturally separate, and federal politicians found difficulty in administering the island from Roetenberg, which it was legally a part of since 1931. In the 1980s, the Social Democratic Radical government of Ludolf Ostermann officially strove to reform Werania's administrative divisions, citing a push for more efficient local governance and taking into account the country's regional minorities, with Ostry being used often as an example by government ministers.

Campaign

A "Yes" vote was supported by almost all political organizations that were present on the island, and there was no unified attempt to create a coherent "No" campaign, although Ostric members of the federal NKP officially stated in a letter to the Volkstag that they had "reservations" towards the reforms and their effectiveness. The proposed reform was seen as a historical step towards Ostric self-governance and, for nationalist voters, a step towards full sovereignty. The left-wing nationalist Ostric People's Party, going through court proceedings to officially become legalized in Werania at the time of the referendum, broke their long-standing opposition to the Weranic government by supporting the referendum and later Ostric devolution.

Results

1985 Ostric devolution referendum
Choice	Votes	%
Yes	15,205	89.37
No	1,809	10.63
Total	17,014	100
Registered voters/turnout	17,993	94.56