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Michigan Casino Gaming Amendment (2012)
| Not on Ballot |
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| This measure was not put on an election ballot |
A Michigan Casino Gaming Amendment did not make the November 6, 2012 statewide ballot in Michigan as an initiated constitutional amendment. The measure would have authorized casino gaming at eight new locations in Michigan.[1][2][3]
The measure was sponsored by Citizens for More Michigan Jobs.
Opposition
Opponents argued that the casinos may lead to increased social problems and will redirect funds from the communities' resources.[4] Protect MI Vote, a group opposing the proposed measure, argues that the measure would take away voter's rights to vote on casinos in their communities and would saturate the state's gambling markets.[5]
Tactics and strategies
Protect MI Vote lead the campaign against the measure has put up the billboards asking people not to sign the petitions that would place it on the ballot. The group also plans to launch radio ads and a social media campaign.[6]
Lawsuits
| 2012 measure lawsuits |
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On Tuesday, August 14, 2012, the Michigan Court of Appeals ordered that the measure be kept off the ballot. The court ruled based on its finding that the amendment violated the state constitution because the petition failed to mention changes the proposal would make to the Gaming Control and Revenue Act. The lawsuit to keep the measure from the ballot was filed by Protect MI Constitution, a group comprised of existing Michigan casinos.[7]
An appeal to the Michigan Supreme Court was filed on Friday, August 17.[8] On Friday, August 24, the Michigan Supreme Court overturned the lower court's decision and ruled that the casino amendment be reconsidered by the Michigan Board of State Canvassers for placement on the ballot.[9]
Path to the ballot
- See also: Michigan signature requirements
The initiative petition was approved for circulation on December 17, 2010. In order to place the measure on the November 2012 ballot supporters must collect a minimum of 322,609 valid signatures by July 9, 2012.
On Tuesday, June 26, 2012, supporters reportedly turned in 509,777 signatures to the Michigan Secretary of State.[10] Of this number, the Board of State Canvassers found 400,103 signatures to be valid on August 13.[11]
Primarily, the board did not vote on the measure due to a Michigan Court of Appeals ruling disqualifying it, but, due to a ruling by the Michigan Supreme Court, did eventually consider it and vote it down.[12]
Supporters of the amendment appealed the board's decision to the state supreme court. The court voted 4-3 on Wednesday, September 6, not to certify the measure, saying that petitioners failed to notify signers that the amendment would reduce the authority of the Liquor Control Commission.[13]
See also
Similar measures
Michigan Casino Expansion Amendment (2010)
Articles
External links
Additional reading
- Record-Eagle, "Group wants Lansing casino," June 12, 2011 (dead link)
- The Detroit News, "Group offers few details on new casino plan," April 1, 2011
Editorials
Footnotes
- ↑ Michigan Secretary of State, "Statewide Ballot Proposal Status November 6, 2012 General Election," January 3, 2011
- ↑ Associated Press, "Early MI ballot efforts target term limits, unions," December 17, 2010
- ↑ Detroit News Lansing Bureau, "Push begins for Nov. ballot petitions," April 9, 2012 (dead link)
- ↑ The Grand Rapids Press, "Group wants seven new casinos on Michigan ballot in 2012," April 1, 2011
- ↑ Detroit Free Press, "Ballot drive calls for 7 more casinos," March 31, 2011
- ↑ Detroit Free Press, "Groups wage battle over bid to get casino measure on November ballot," June 7, 2012
- ↑ Detroit News, "Initiative for new casinos knocked off Nov. ballot," August 15, 2012
- ↑ Detroit Free Press, "Pro-casino group says 7,280 jobs on the table," August 23, 2012
- ↑ Associated Press, "Michigan board considering whether to put casino expansion, bridge restriction plans on ballot," August 27, 2012
- ↑ Detroit News, "Group seeking 8 new casinos in Mich. submits ballot signatures," June 26, 2012 (dead link)
- ↑ Michigan Secretary of State staff review of measure petition
- ↑ Detroit News, "Initiative for new casinos knocked off Nov. ballot," August 15, 2012
- ↑ Detroit Free Press, "Bridge, union rights, tax measure make Nov. ballot but casino effort blocked," September 6, 2012
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State of Michigan Lansing (capital) |
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