Maine Racino Initiative (2007)
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Maine Question One, also known as the "Maine Racino Initiative of 2007", appeared on the Maine ballot on November 6, 2007. The measure failed, with 52% voting against it and 48% voting for it.[1]
- Yes: 121,873
- No: 130,567
The initiative would have authorized the operation of slot machines at a tribal commercial track under the supervision of the Maine Gambling Control Board. It also authorized the issuance of a high-stakes beano license to a federally recognized Indian tribe to operate games on nontribal land in Washington County, Maine. The slots and beano machines would be in conjunction with a horse racing track.
The combination of a racing track and a casino is known as a "racino". The Washington County Passamaquoddy Indian gambling establishment, if this initiative passes, is expected to house 1,500 slot machines.[2]
Maine Question One is one of just four ballot measures that appeared across the country in November 2007 through the process of initiative.
- See also 2007 ballot measures.
Background
Maine Question One is sponsored by the Passamaquoddy Indian tribe based in Washington County. Approximately 68,000 signatures were submitted to qualify it for the ballot. 50,519 valid signatures were required. In Maine, all signatures are checked individually. Secretary of State Matt Dunlap announced in January that 51,096 of the submitted signatures had been judged as valid--a margin of just 477 valid signatures.
Once the signatures were certified, the state legislature had the option of passing the legislation without putting it on the ballot, or of punting it to a statewide vote. The Maine state house voted to approve the measure by a vote of 82-60.[3]. The Maine Senate also approved the measure, but on a voice vote (without recording individual votes). Subsequently, Gov. Baldacci vetoed the measure, and the legislature did not have enough votes to overcome the veto.[4] Hence, the measure goes to the ballot.[5],[6]
Opponents of the measure
The official organization opposing the racino measure is called CasinosNo!. CasinosNo! successfully opposed a 2003 statewide measure that would have authorized a slot machine in Sanford. It also helped to defeat referendum votes in Saco and Westbrook in 2003 to make Scarborough Downs a racino.[7]
The Racino Initiative of 2007 is also opposed by the Christian Civic League of Maine.[8]
Objections to the gambling expansion initiative include:
- Concerns about gambling addiction
- Concerns about higher crime rates in areas near casinos
- Belief that casinos take advantage of poor and less-educated people.[9]
Election Results
The initiative failed with 121,873 voting for it (48%) and 130,567 voting against it (52%).
See also
Maine Ballot Measures for November 2007
External links
- Official text of measure
- Proponent information
- The Passamaquoddy Indian website
- CasinosNo!
- Christian Civic League of Maine
- Maine election results
Notes
- ↑ Voters reject Washington County Racino
- ↑ http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1030232
- ↑ http://www.wcsh6.com/news/article.aspx?storyid=57381
- ↑ http://bangordailynews.com/news/t/news.aspx?articleid=149198
- ↑ http://www.wcsh6.com/news/columnist/blogs/editorials/article.aspx?storyid=52755
- ↑ http://evergreenseth.blogspot.com/2007/04/racino-likely-to-land-on-fall-ballot.html
- ↑ http://www.casinosno.org/organization.html
- ↑ http://www.citizenlink.org/content/A000005389.cfm
- ↑ http://www.cclmaine.org/artman/publish/Maine_3/The_Secrets_of_a_Slot_Machine.shtml
