Arizona Proposition 201 (1996)
From Ballotpedia
Arizona Proposition 201, also known as Proposing an Act Concerning the Use of Uniform Gaming Compacts with Indian Tribes, was on the November 7, 1996 election ballot in Arizona.
Contents |
1996 election results
| Arizona Proposition 201 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes or no | Percentage | |||
 Yes
| 63.9% | |||
| No | 36.1% | |||
| Total votes | 100% precincts | |||
Text of the proposal
The language that appeared on the ballot:
Pursuant to federal law, an Indian tribe that wants to operate certain gaming activities (gambling) may do so only pursuant to an agreement called a "compact" entered into between the tribe and the state where the tribe's lands are located. In 1993 and 1994, Arizona entered into gaming compacts with 16 of the state's 21 Indian tribes. These compacts permit the tribes to operate specified gaming activities, including slot machines, that are illegal off of Indian reservations.
However, in 1994, a federal court ruled that states do not have to allow Indian tribes to conduct any gaming activities that are prohibited off of Indian reservations. While the federal decision does not have an impact on the compacts that have already been signed, the Governor has since declined to negotiate any more compacts with tribes for the operation of gaming activities other than betting on horse and dog races or the operation of a lottery, both of which are permitted off of reservations under Arizona law.
Proposition 201 would require the state, through the Governor, to enter into gaming compacts with eligible tribes on similar terms and conditions as the compacts entered into before the 1994 court decision. Specifically, the new compacts would allow eligible tribes to conduct all gaming activities permitted under the existing compacts. Proposition 201 defines an eligible tribe as any tribe in this state that has not yet entered into a gaming compact. If Proposition 201 passes, the Governor would have to enter into a compact within 30 days after the governing body of an eligible tribe submits a written request for a compact.
