[1] Voters were asked whether they approved of the liberal reforms made to the constitution since 1860 and passed by the Sénatus-consulte on 20 April 1870.
[2] However, France's defeat in the Franco-Prussian War caused the Empire to be abolished later that year.
Although this was the ninth constitutional referendum in French history, it was the first to have more than 8% oppose the motion; four of the previous seven had officially gained 99% approval.
All French men over the age of 21 were entitled to vote in a commune in which they had resided for six months.
The vote was secret with the exception of those serving in the military.