Direct democracy refers to decision making by vote at public meetings, such as is found inmany New England towns in the form of open town meetings, that date back to colonial times.It may also refer to state and local referendums, wherea proposal, law, or political issue is put to a direct vote by the electorate, rather than being voted on by representatives in a state or local legislature or council. The history of direct democracy amongst non-Native Americans in the United States dates from the 1630s in the New England Colonies.