While also referred to as "Catalan independence referendum",[2][3][4] the vote was rebranded as a "participation process" by the Government of Catalonia, after a "non-referendum popular consultation" on the same topic and for the same date had been suspended by the Constitutional Court of Spain.

Estimates for the turnout as published by the news media ranged from 37.0%, as given in The Economist and El País among others,[8][9][10] to 41.6% as per the Catalan government's preliminary data.

[20] On 14 October, Artur Mas proposed a "process of citizen participation" as an alternative to the original referendum.

The Catalan Government, however, pushed forward with the "citizen participation" process, in defiance of the Constitutional Court,[22] and voting took place as planned on 9 November 2014.

Artur Mas, President of the Generalitat of Catalonia at that time, called a snap election, and the "Agreement for Freedom" was negotiated between Artur Mas (CiU "Conservativel local party") and Oriol Junqueras (ERC, Republican and socialistic-style left party).

[27] On 23 January 2013 the Parliament of Catalonia adopted by 85 favourable votes, 41 against, and 2 abstentions the "Declaration of Sovereignty and of the Right to Decide of the Catalan People".

[28][29][30] It states that "The people of Catalonia have – by reason of democratic legitimacy – the character of a sovereign political and legal entity."

It is based on the following principles: sovereignty, democratic legitimacy, transparency, dialogue, social cohesion, Europeanism, legality, role of the Catalan Parliament and participation.

[34][35] On 12 December 2013, the Government of Catalonia announced that a deal between Catalan nationalist parties had set the date and wording for the referendum on independence.

"[38][39] Mariano Rajoy, Spanish Prime Minister, said that the referendum would be considered illegal and that "any discussion or debate on this is out of the question".

[47] On 8 April 2014, the Spanish Congress rejected the Catalan parliament's request to give it the power to organize the self-determination referendum.

The bill was voted down 299 (PP, PSOE, UPyD, UPN and Foro Asturias) to 47 (CiU, Izquierda Unida, PNV, BNG, Amaiur, ERC, Compromís and Geroa Bai), with one abstention (NC-CC).

According to pro-consultation parties, this law will provide the legal basis for the President of the Generalitat of Catalonia, Artur Mas, to hold the consultation (non-binding self-determination referendum) on independence from Spain on 9 November.

[50] On 27 September 2014, Catalan President Artur Mas signed a decree calling for a consultation on independence.

[22] On 5 November, Catalan representatives complained against the Spanish Government to international organizations for blocking self-determination.

Turnout estimates published by media outlets range between 37.0%[8][9][10] and 41.6% (the latter figure, based on the Catalan government's preliminary data).

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy called the vote a "deep failure" because "two-thirds of Catalans did not participate" and he claimed it violated a ruling of the Constitutional Court.

They were accused of serious civil disobedience and perverting the course of justice for having authorized the unofficial vote on 9 November 2014 in defiance of its prohibition by the Constitutional Court of Spain.