Crossword Genius

Neared solution after official votes (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

referenda

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'votes' is the definition.
(referendum is a kind of vote)

'neared solution after official' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
an anagram of 'neared' is 'erenda' which is present in the answer.
'official' could be 'ref' (match official in football, say) and 'ref' is found in the answer.
No letters remain.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for referenda that I've seen before include "mass votes" , "National ballots on specific issues" , "submissions to people" , "Votes put to country generally 9)" , "General votes" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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