Arizona Voter Reward, Proposition 200 (2006)
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Election results
| Voter Reward | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
 No | 991,284 | 66.6% | ||
| Yes | 496,641 | 33.4% | ||
Wording
The measure would have created a $1,000,000 prize that would be given to one randomly selected voter each election.
Text of measure
The language that appeared on the ballot:
Proposition 200 would establish a $1,000,000 prize to be awarded to a randomly selected person who voted in the primary or general election. Anyone who voted in the primary or general election would be automatically entered in the drawing for the prize money, and if a person voted in both the primary and the general election, that person's name would be entered twice in the drawing.
Proposition 200 would provide money for the cash prize by transferring unclaimed lottery winnings into a separate Voter Reward Fund, to be overseen by the Arizona State Lottery Commission. Money would be awarded every two years, after each statewide general election is held. If there is sufficient money, the commission could establish additional prizes for the drawings.
Under Proposition 200, county voter registration and election officials would provide a list of numbers for the drawing with each number designating a person who voted in the primary or general election. The drawing would be conducted in public, with only the name of the winner disclosed. The winner could also refuse the prize money, and no name would be disclosed.
Proposition 200 would apply for statewide primary and general elections held in 2006 and later.
Fiscal Impact Statement
State law requires the Joint Legislative Budget Committee (JLBC) Staff to prepare a summary of the fiscal impact of certain ballot measures. The Voter Reward Fund would receive 20% of unclaimed lottery prizes under Proposition 200. Based on a 5-year average, this amount is estimated to be approximately $1.5 million per fiscal year. The unclaimed prize monies are otherwise used to supplement prizes paid to winners of Arizona Lottery games. Up to 7% of the Voter Reward Fund is available for administration.
Supporting Arguments
Mark Osterloh, MD, JD, Chairman, Arizonans for Voter Rewards wrote the following
Some criticize "Voter Rewards" as being morally wrong. If that might be the case, we should look to the ultimate authority on morals and ethics. What does God say? Do what you are supposed to do and I will REWARD you with eternal life in heaven. What are we saying? Do what you are supposed to do, vote, and we will REWARD you with a chance to win a million dollars. If incentives are good enough for God, they are good enough for the voters of Arizona! There are opponents that say we are "bribing" people to vote. No, bribery is when money is given to politicians to buy influence. We are using a capitalist incentive to reward citizens for exercising their patriotic duty. Why did capitalism win out over communism? Because capitalism has incentives built into the system and communism doesn't. We incentivize high school students to study diligently with college scholarships. We incentivize employees to work hard with commissions, pay raises, bonuses and promotions. Lets do the same thing with voting. The complaint is made that the million dollar incentive will bring out the wrong people or uneducated voters. Democracy is meant to be government of ALL the people without any qualifiers such as race, creed, literacy, IQ, party affiliation or political correctness. We want every eligible citizen to vote; period! Currently, many millions of dollars are wasted on minimally effective Get-Out-The-Vote (GOTV) efforts. With one million dollars, which comes from the unclaimed prize fund of the Arizona Lottery, we can get everyone to the polls and all the saved GOTV money can be used to educate those voters. We will have everyone voting and educated about the issues and candidates. A true Win-Win result.
Opposing Arguments
Kevin G. Rogers, President, Arizona Farm Bureau, wrote the following
The Arizona Farm Bureau opposes proposition 200. Voting is a right and a privilege - not a chance at the lottery. The prospects of a million dollar prize for voting may entice more voters to the polls, but our democracy deserves more. It requires an informed citizenry, rather than people voting only to possibly win a lottery. For all who have sacrificed, so that we might enjoy the blessings of liberty, we believe it sullies the process to lure voters with financial rewards.
Campaign funding
Donors to the campaign for the measure:[2]
- Arizonans for Voter Rewards I-1-2006: $198,478
- Total: $198,478
See also
- Arizona State Senate
- Arizona House of Representatives
- Arizona 2006 ballot measures
- 2006 ballot measures
- List of Arizona ballot measures
- List of ballot measures by year
- List of ballot measures by state
External links
- Arizona Secretary of State, 2006 Ballot Propositions & Judicial Performance Review Proposition 200
- Vote totals for Prop 200
- National Conference of State Legislatures Ballot Measures Database
References
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