The 1988 plebiscite in Chile, which resulted in General Augusto Pinochet's defeat and the beginning of a transition to democracy, is being highlighted as a historical reference point ahead of the 3 November US midterm elections.
On 5 October 1988, Pinochet, who had governed Chile since a 1973 coup, lost a vote on whether he should remain as head of state for another eight years. A total of 55.9% of Chilean voters chose for him to retire. Air Force General Fernando Matthei publicly acknowledged the "no" vote's victory around 1am on 6 October, thwarting a potential auto-coup by Pinochet.
Chile subsequently transitioned to democracy, electing a centre-left president in 1990 and a series of presidents with varying ideologies thereafter. However, the legacy of Pinochet's rule is still considered to affect Chilean society. José Antonio Kast, described as an admirer of Pinochet, became Chile's president in December 2025, with 56% of voters reportedly overlooking his denial of past atrocities.