1.   Although Parizeau said he had always been preparing to leave if the referendum failed, he was widely condemned for his concession speech.

2.   Although Pittsburgh proper voted in its favor, the referendum failed miserably.

3.   A more modest referendum failed three years ago.

4.   Even if the referendum fails, both arts advocates and referendum opponents feel the cultural projects eventually will get done.

5.   If either referendum fails, the deal is off.

6.   If the referendum fails, Oilers officials say they will take their team elsewhere.

7.   If the referendum fails, Morial said, he would have few options but to wait for the country to outgrow its racial voting patterns.

8.   In any event, when the referendum failed last June, the team was all but gone.

9.   Last week, National League baseball president Leonard Coleman said baseball owners likely would let the Astros leave Houston if the referendum failed.

10.   Last year, legislatures in Maine and New Hampshire passed gay-rights laws, but a gay-rights referendum failed in Washington state.