Florida Amendment 4, Slot Machines at Parimutuel Facilities Initiative (2004)

Florida Amendment 4
Election date November 2, 2004
Topic Gambling policy
Status Approved
Type Initiated constitutional amendment	Origin Citizens

Florida Amendment 4 was on the ballot as an initiated constitutional amendment in Florida on November 2, 2004. It was approved.

A “yes” vote supported allowing Miami-Dade and Broward counties to hold referenda to determine if slot machines can be placed at parimutuel facilities.

A “no” vote opposed allowing Miami-Dade and Broward counties to hold referenda to determine if slot machines can be placed at parimutuel facilities.

Election results

Florida Amendment 4
Result		Votes	Percentage
Yes		3,631,261	50.83%
No		3,512,181	49.17%

Results are officially certified.

Source

Text of measure

Ballot title

The ballot title for Amendment 4 was as follows:

“

Authorizes Miami-Dade and Broward Counties to hold referenda on whether to authorize slot machines in existing, licensed parimutuel facilities (thoroughbred and harness racing, greyhound racing, and jai alai) that have conducted live racing or games in that county during each of the last two calendar years before effective date of this amendment. The Legislature may tax slot machine revenues, and any such taxes must supplement public education funding statewide. Requires implementing legislation.

”

Full Text

The full text of this measure is available here.

Constitutional changes

The text of the amendment read:

SECTION 19. SLOT MACHINES – (a) After voter approval of this constitutional amendment, the governing bodies of Miami-Dade and Broward Counties each may hold a county-wide referendum in their respective counties on whether to authorize slot machines within existing, licensed parimutuel facilities (thoroughbred and harness racing, greyhound racing, an d jai-alai) that have conducted live racing or games in that county during each of the last two calendar years before the effective date of this amendment. If the voters of such county approve the referendum question by majority vote, slot machines shall be authorized in such parimutuel facilities. If the voters of such county by majority vote disapprove the referendum question, slot machines shall not be so authorized, and the question shall not be presented in another referendum in that county for at least two years. (b) In the next regular Legislative session occurring after voter approval of this constitutional amendment, the Legislature shall adopt legislation implementing this section and having an effective date no later than July 1 of the year following voter approval of this amendment. Such legislation shall authorize agency rules for implementation, and may include provisions for the licensure and regulation of slot machines. The Legislature may tax slot machine revenues, and any such taxes must supplement public education funding statewide. (c) If any part of this section is held invalid for any reason, the remaining portion or portions shall be severed from the invalid portion and given the fullest possible force and effect. (d) This amendment shall become effective when approved by vote of the electors of the state.

Path to the ballot

See also: Signature requirements for ballot measures in Florida

The ballot measure was an initiated constitutional amendment. Proponents collected signatures to place the initiative on the ballot.

See also

2004 Measures

• 2004 Measures
• Gambling policy on the ballot
• 2004 legislative sessions

Florida

• Florida ballot measures
• Florida ballot measure laws

News and analysis

• Ballot measure lawsuits
• Ballot measure readability
• Ballot measure polls

External links

• Florida Division of Elections, "Initiatives / Amendments / Revisions Database"