March 1991, ~75% of voters in the U.S.S.R. voted in favor of the "preservation of the U.S.S.R. as a renewed federation[...]." What was the intended response of proposing such an intricate question in the referendum and how did it affect the U.S.S.R., nine months before it's eventual dissolution?

by arthurblakey

The full question stated on the referendum was:

"Do you consider necessary the preservation of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics as a renewed federation of equal sovereign republics in which the rights and freedom of an individual of any nationality will be fully guaranteed?"