The decision for a referendum was taken at a meeting on 9-10 November 1990 in Poljče by the members of the Democratic Opposition of Slovenia (DEMOS), which seized power after the first multi-party elections in 1990.

In order for Slovenia to break away from Yugoslavia, more than half of all eligible voters had to be in favour of the secession. That number was much higher on the 23 December 1990. It stood at 93.2% with 95% of all eligible voters casting their ballot.