Voters were asked whether they ratified a proposed Statute of Autonomy of Andalusia bill organizing the provinces of Almería, Cádiz, Córdoba, Granada, Huelva, Jaén, Málaga and Seville into an autonomous community of Spain.

In the absence of such a majority in one or several provinces, those voting favourably could constitute themselves into an autonomous community of their own, provided that:[8] The electoral procedure came regulated under Royal Decree-Law 20/1977, of 18 March, and its related legal provisions.

Voting in the referendum was on the basis of universal suffrage, which comprised all nationals over eighteen, registered in the provinces of Almería, Cádiz, Córdoba, Granada, Huelva, Jaén, Málaga and Seville and in full enjoyment of their civil and political rights.

[33] President Rafael Escuredo criticized the "cold tone" of the campaign, and called on all parties to make a special insistence on requesting the affirmative vote in the referendum.

[41] Among the reasons for the lower turnout were said to contribute: the low-profile campaigns of political parties; the coincidence with the Galician regional election, which drew the attention of the parties' leaderships and of the media; that the referendum received a lower coverage from state media than the one received by the Basque and Catalan referendums in October 1979; as well as because approval was taken for granted due to the lack of a minimum of affirmative ballots over the electorate as well as there being no appreciable threat from the "No" camp.

[42] With the Statute ratified in referendum, it would be sent to the Cortes Generales for its final consideration and ratification,[43][44] with this process slowing down over an appeal from far-right New Force (FN) party on the results.