[FreeReign]

They had a choice to stay with Ukraine.

Source?

[Zajko]

The ballot paper is here:

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26514797

Option 1: Rejoining the Russian Federation

Option 2: Returning Crimea to the 1992 constitution as an autonomous province of Ukraine.

[ScaniaBoy]

Two choices (only) on the ballot - part of the Russian federation or an increased freedom within Ukraine (according to a now defunct constitution).

Interestingly enough it may well have been the second choice that would have been wished for in the Kreml. That would have put the ball back in Kiev’s lap, and the Crimean votes would still have counted in the upcoming elections, where it is far from a foregone conclusion that the Maidan parties would win.