Ending civil conflict is difficult, particularly through settlements. Conflicts increasingly occur in democratic states, and voters sometimes have been directly involved in the process, potentially in an effort to overcome elite divisions. Yet, according to evidence from the 2016 popular plebiscite in Colombia, referenda and other tools of direct approval by voters seem to amplify elite divisions and therefore are not a useful mechanism to strengthen peace processes in this way. Focusing instead on traditional elite‐led negotiations that seek to satisfy each faction may have a higher chance of producing signed settlements, although the Colombian case also suggests some alternative forms of inclusivity, which may help increase the overall legitimacy for the process, potentially improving the odds of implementation.