Idaho Proposition 1, Authorize Betting on Historical Horse Races Initiative (2018)

Elections in Idaho, 2018

• General election: Nov. 6
• Voter registration deadline: Oct. 12
• Early voting: Oct. 22 - Nov. 2
• Absentee voting deadline: Nov. 6

• Online registration: Yes
• Same-day registration: Yes
• Voter ID: Photo ID required
• Poll times: 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

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Idaho Proposition 1
Election date November 6, 2018
Topic Gambling
Status d Defeated
Type State statute	Origin Citizens
List of Idaho measuresIdaho Proposition 1Idaho Proposition 2Submit

Idaho Proposition 1, the Authorize Betting on Historical Horse Races Initiative, was on the ballot in Idaho as an initiated state statute on November 6, 2018. It was defeated.

A yes vote was a vote in favor of this measure to legalize the use of video terminals for betting on historical horse races, also known as instant racing.

A no vote was a vote against this measure to legalize the use of video terminals for betting on historical horse races, also known as instant racing.

Proposition 1 would have allowed the use of video terminals for betting on historical horse races restricted to locations at which live horse races are held on at least eight days of the year. Historical horse racing is also known as instant racing.

Election results

Idaho Proposition 1
Result		Votes	Percentage
Yes		278,212	46.20%
No		323,924	53.80%

Results are officially certified.

Source

Overview

Historical horse racing and pari-mutuel betting

Historical horse race was defined in the measure as "a race involving live horses that was conducted in the past and that is rebroadcast by electronic means and shown on a delayed or replayed basis for the purposes of pari-mutuel wagering conducted at a facility that is authorized to show simulcast and/or televised races where at least eight (8) live horse race days are conducted annually." Historical horse racing, like live horse racing, was called pari-mutuel, which was defined in the measure as "any system whereby wagers with respect to the outcome of a race are placed with, or in, a wagering pool conducted by a person licensed or otherwise permitted to do so under state law, and in which the participants are wagering with each other and not against the operator." Pari-mutuel betting is a betting system where the people who bet on the first-, second-, and third-place competitors will share the sum of the total bet, minus that which is put aside for house management. A pari-mutuel system means that the bets are pooled and shared among the winners.

What would Proposition 1 have done?

Proposition 1 was designed to once again legalize video terminals for betting on historical horse races. Idaho legalized historical horse racing in 2013 with the passage of House Bill 220 in 2013. It was repealed through Senate Bill 1011 in 2015. This measure was designed to once again legalize historical horse racing through video terminals and is very similar to House Bill 220 of 2013. Historical horse racing, under the measure, would have been limited to existing racetracks that are authorized to conduct live horse racing or simulcast wagering or to facilities where at least eight live horse racing events are conducted per year. It would have required that one percent of total daily funds in wagering pools be provided to the Idaho state racing commission. It would have required that betting on historical horse races be conducted through a pari-mutuel system.

Other measures related to gambling

Five amendments related to gambling were on the 2018 ballot in four states: Arkansas, Florida, Maryland, and Missouri. Three gambling-related measures were on state ballots in Texas and Maine in 2017. Three other initiatives related to gambling were on the ballot in Idaho in the past:

• The Idaho Anti-Gambling Act of 1946 was defeated and would have made officers who refused or neglected to enforce anti-gambling statutes subject to removal from their positions.
• The Idaho Policy on Casino Gambling Amendment of 1992 was approved and clarified the state policy on gambling.
• The Idaho State-Tribal Gambling Compact Initiative of 2002 was approved. It defined tribal video gaming machines and provided for the amendment of the State-Tribal Gaming Compact, which provides for their use.

State of the ballot measure campaigns

Ballotpedia identified two committees registered to support the measure: the Committee to Save Idaho Horse Racing, Create Jobs, and Fund Public Schools and the Idaho Horse Racing PAC. Together, the committees raised $6.39 million and spent $7.56 million. Treasure Valley Racing provided 100 percent of the contributions to the support committees.

Ballotpedia identified two committees registered to oppose the measure: the North Idaho Voter Project and Idaho United Against Prop 1. Together, the committees raised $6.8 million and spent $6.75 million. The largest donor to the committees was the Coeur d'Alene Tribe, which gave $6.32 million.

Measure design

Idaho legalized historical horse racing in 2013 with the passage of House Bill 220. It was repealed through Senate Bill 1011 in 2015. This measure was designed to once again legalize video terminals for betting on historical horse races. Historical horse racing, under the measure, would have been limited to existing racetracks that are authorized to conduct live horse racing or simulcast wagering or to facilities where at least eight live horse racing events are conducted per year. It would have required that one percent of total daily funds in wagering pools be provided to the Idaho State Racing Commission. It would have required that betting on historical horse races be conducted through a pari-mutuel system.

The measure would have required that no less than 90 percent of the total daily funds in wagering pools be set aside for reserves and payoffs for distribution and payments to winning bettors. Nine percent could have been kept by the owners of the license. It would have also required that one percent of the total daily funds in wagering pools be provided to the Idaho State Racing Commission to be deposited in specified accounts, as follows:

• One half of one percent (.50%) to the Public School Income Fund;
• One-fourth of one percent (0.25%) to the racing commission account within the state regulatory fund;
• One-tenth of one percent (0.10%) to the track distribution account within the pari-mutuel distribution fund;
• One-tenth of one percent (0.10%) to the breed distribution account within the pari-mutuel distribution fund, to be split equally between the Idaho thoroughbred and quarter horse breeders; and
• One-twentieth of one percent (0.05%) to the Idaho Horse Council youth programs account within the pari-mutuel distribution fund.

Under the measure, licensees conducting the pari-mutuel system for historical horse races would have been required to enter an agreement with a horsemen's group, defined in the measure as "an organization composed of licensed owners and/or trainers duly registered with the secretary of state and recognized by the Idaho state racing commission" to "establish the percentage of the historical horse race handle that is dedicated to the live horse race purse structure. In addition, the agreement shall provide that all historical race purse moneys that are accrued as required by horsemen's agreements shall be held in the historical horse race moneys fund." The measure would have also established the historical horse race purse moneys fund in the state treasury consisting of all historical horse race moneys accrued as required by horsemen's agreements.

Text of measure

Short ballot title

The short ballot title was as follows:

“

An initiative authorizing historical horse racing at certain locations where live or simulcast horse racing occurs and allocating revenue therefrom.

”

Long ballot title

The long ballot titlewas as follows:

“

An initiative amending chapter 25, title 54, Idaho code; contains findings and purposes; amends definition of historical horse race; adds new section authorizing historical horse race betting at certain locations where live or simulcast parimutuel horse race betting occurs; specifies requirements for historical horse race terminals; declares such terminals not to be slot machines; allocates revenue from historical horse race betting; requires licensees to enter into agreements with horsemen's groups; creates historical horse race purse moneys fund in state treasury; authorizes distribution by state racing commission and investment by state treasurer of fund monies; directs state racing commission to promulgate implementing rules; declares act effective upon voter approval and completion of voting canvass; and provides for severability.

”

Attorney general certificate of review

The Attorney General's Certificate of Review for the initiative can be found here.

Full text

The full text of the initiative is below:

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Idaho: Section 1. Title. This act shall be known as the Save Horse Racing in Idaho Act. Section 2. Findings and Purposes. The people of the State of Idaho recognize and declare the following: (1) Idaho's horse racing industry is an important contributor to the state's economy (approximately $50 million in annual payroll, sales, goods and services in 2015) and an enduring element of our Western heritage. Enabling historical horse racing terminals ("HHR") will save the horse racing industry and bring back hundreds of local, good-paying jobs and create hundreds of new ones. (2) Like live horse race wagering, HHR terminals are parimutuel, which means that the law requires that a high percentage of money wagered be returned to bettors (unlike most casino games), with a small percentage taken out to cover operating expenses. Pari-mutuel wagering is allowed under Idaho's Constitution, and it is regulated and audited by the state. (3) In 2013, the Idaho Legislature voted to allow HHR at horse racing tracks in Idaho. During the following year of operation, approximately 90% of all HHR wagering was returned to bettors. In addition, HHR became the primary funding source to increase live horse purses from $2000 to $5000 per race, providing a more sustainable source of income and economic stability to horsemen. (4) However, two years later a gubernatorial veto that would have protected HHR was ruled invalid due to a discrepancy about the veto's timing. This action triggered track closures, loss of employment (over 535 jobs) and harm to and the closure of local small businesses and family owned horse farms. (5) This ballot measure would reauthorize and enable parimutuel HHR wagering to resume and be limited to existing race tracks that are authorized to conduct live and/or simulcast wagering. It would require by statute that at least 90% of all HHR revenues be returned to bettors and contain strict independent accountability measures and regulatory oversight provisions. This initiative would also explicitly prohibit slot machines. (6) More importantly, this initiative will bring back hundreds of local, good-paying jobs, create hundreds of new ones and provide over $50 million in economic activity. It will also benefit Idaho's rural communities and public schools while saving the important legacy of Idaho's horse racing industry. (7) This ballot measure would provide much needed money for public school classrooms. (8) The use of HHR to boost a state's economy and protect its horse racing industry is not unique. Currently, neighboring states like Oregon and Wyoming, as well as Kentucky and Arkansas allow HHR, while 21 states allow some form of gaming to supplement the business of live horse racing. (9) HHR allows the horse racing industry to survive without government support. Without HHR, horse racing in Idaho will no longer be sustainable and will cease to exist. (10) Repeated attempts by the horse racing industry and its proponents to restore HHR through the Legislature have failed, jeopardizing the existence of live horse racing. Therefore, the citizens of Idaho desire to secure the future of live horse racing in Idaho themselves through this ballot measure. This measure is a fair, reasonable, legal solution that balances the benefits of saving horse racing with concerns about gaming. Furthermore, it clarifies that it is public policy of the State of Idaho that wagering on HHR is pari-mutuel and allowed under the Idaho Constitution. Section 3: 54-2502, Idaho Code, is hereby amended as follows: 54-2502. DEFINITIONS. Unless the context otherwise requires, words and phrases as used herein shall mean: (1) "Commission" means the Idaho state racing commission, hereinafter created. (2) "Gross daily receipts" means the total of all sums deposited in all pools for each race day. (3) "Historical horse race" means a race involving live horses that was conducted in the past and that is rebroadcast by electronic means and shown on a delayed or replayed basis for the purposes of pari-mutuel wagering conducted at a facility that is authorized to show simulcast and/or televised races where at least eight (8) live horse race days are conducted annually, or where such simulcast facility is subject to 54-2514A(1), Idaho Code. (4) "Horsemen's group" means an organization composed of licensed owners and/or trainers duly registered with the secretary of state and recognized by the Idaho [state] racing commission. (5) "Host facility" means the racetrack at which the race is run, or the facility which is designated as the host facility if the race is run in a jurisdiction which is not participating in the interstate combined wagering pool. (6) "Host jurisdiction" means the jurisdiction in which the host facility is located. (7) "Interstate common wagering pool" means a pari-mutuel pool established in one (1) jurisdiction which is combined with comparable pari-mutuel pools from one (1) or more racing jurisdictions. Such pool is established for the purpose of establishing pay-off prices in the various jurisdictions. (8) "Pari-mutuel" means any system whereby wagers with respect to the outcome of a race are placed with, or in, a wagering pool conducted by a person licensed or otherwise permitted to do so under state law, and in which the participants are wagering with each other and not against the operator. (9) "Persons" means and includes individuals, firms, corporations and associations. (10) "Pool" means the total sum of all moneys wagered in each race for each type of bet. Types of bets include win, place, show, quinella, daily double, exacta, trifecta, etc., and such other types as are approved by the commission from time to time. (11) "Race meet" means and includes any exhibition of thoroughbred, purebred, and/or registered horse racing, mule racing or dog racing, where the pari-mutuel system of wagering is used. Singular includes the plural and plural includes the singular; and words importing one gender shall be regarded as including all other genders. (12) "Racing jurisdiction" or "jurisdiction" means a governmental jurisdiction responsible for the regulation of pari-mutuel racing in that jurisdiction. (13) "Simulcast" means the telecast or other transmission of live audio and visual signals of a race, transmitted from a sending track to a receiving location, for the purpose of wagering conducted on the race at the receiving location. Section 4. Chapter 25, Title 54, Idaho Code, is hereby amended by the addition thereto of NEW SECTIONS, to be known and designated as Section 54-2512A, 54-2512B, and 54-2512C Idaho Code, and to read as follows: 54-2512A. Pari-mutuel betting on historical horse race video terminals – Distributions of deposits - Historical horse race purse moneys fund. (1) Wagering on an historical horse race is declared to be lawful and such wagering may be conducted at any facility located within the grounds or enclosure where live and/or simulcast horse racing is conducted and where at least eight (8) live horse race days are conducted annually, or where such simulcast facility is subject to 54-2514A(1), Idaho Code. Wagering on an historical horse race shall be conducted in accordance with the pari-mutuel system pursuant to the provisions of this chapter and in accordance with all rules promulgated by the commission. (2) Historical horse racing terminals shall not be activated by a handle or lever, do not dispense coins, currency, tokens, or chips, and shall only perform the following functions: (a) Accept currency or other representative of value to qualify a player to participate in one or more games; (b) Dispense, at the player's request, a cash-out ticket that has printed upon it the game identifier and the player's credit balance; (c) Show on a video screen or other electronic display, rather than on a paper ticket, the results of each game played; (d) Show on a video screen or other electronic display, in an area separate from the game results, the player's credit balance; (e) Maintain the integrity of the operations of the terminal. (3) Notwithstanding any other provision of Idaho law, a historical horse racing terminal as described in sub-section (2) above is not a slot machine or an electronic or electromechanical imitation or simulation of any form of casino gambling. (4) Each licensee conducting the pari-mutuel system for historical horse races shall distribute and pay all sums deposited in any historical horse race pool as follows: (a) No less than ninety percent (90%) of gross daily receipts in various wagering pools shall be established to fund reserves and payoffs for distribution and payment to winning wagers; (b) One percent (1.00%) of gross daily receipts shall be provided to the Idaho state racing commission for distribution and deposit in designated accounts, as follows: (i) One half of one percent (.50%) to the Public School Income Fund; (ii) One-fourth of one percent (0.25%) of gross daily receipts to the racing commission account within the state regulatory fund; (iii) One-tenth of one percent (0.10%) of gross daily receipts to the track distribution account within the pari-mutuel distribution fund; (iv) One-tenth of one percent (0.10%) of gross daily receipts to the breed distribution account within the pari-mutuel distribution fund, to be split equally between the Idaho thoroughbred and quarter horse breeders; (v) One-twentieth of one percent (0.05%) of gross daily receipts to the Idaho Horse Council youth programs account, which is hereby created within the pari-mutuel distribution fund; and (c) The balance of gross daily receipts to the licensee. All moneys in these accounts are hereby continuously appropriated to the commission for further distribution and time of payment as provided in section 54-2513, Idaho Code. (5) Each licensee conducting the pari-mutuel system for historical horse races shall enter into an agreement with a horsemen's group, as the term "horsemen's group" is defined in section 54-2502, Idaho Code, that shall address, but not be limited to, establishing the percentage of the historical horse race handle that is dedicated to the live horse race purse structure. In addition, the agreement shall provide that all historical race purse moneys that are accrued as required by horsemen's agreements shall be held in the historical horse race moneys fund created pursuant to the provisions of this section. (6) The historical horse race purse moneys fund is hereby created in the state treasury. Moneys in the fund shall consist of all historical horse race moneys that are accrued as required by horsemen's agreements. Moneys in the fund are hereby perpetually appropriated to the Idaho State Racing Commission for distribution pursuant to the provisions of horsemen's agreements and rules of the Commission. The Commission is authorized to promulgate rules providing for the receipt, deposit, withdrawal and distribution of such moneys. The state treasurer shall invest idle moneys in the fund and any interest received on those investments shall be returned to the fund which is created pursuant to the provisions of this section. (7) The Commission shall promulgate rules pursuant to chapter 52, title 67, Idaho Code, to implement the provisions of this section. 54-2512B. Effect. Notwithstanding any other provision of Idaho law, this act shall be in full force and effect after voter approval and immediately upon completion of the canvass of the votes by the Board of Canvassers. No further action by the executive or legislative branches of state government are required to implement the provisions of this act. 54-2512C. Severability. The terms of this act are severable such that if any term or provision is declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, void, or unenforceable, the remaining provisions of this act shall continue to be valid and enforceable.

Readability score

See also: Ballot measure readability scores, 2018

Using the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL and Flesch Reading Ease (FRE) formulas, Ballotpedia scored the readability of the ballot title and summary for this measure. Readability scores are designed to indicate the reading difficulty of text. The Flesch-Kincaid formulas account for the number of words, syllables, and sentences in a text; they do not account for the difficulty of the ideas in the text. The attorney general wrote the ballot language for this measure. The FKGL for the ballot title is grade level 18, and the FRE is 0. The word count for the ballot title is 20, and the estimated reading time is 5 seconds. The FKGL for the ballot summary is grade level 53, and the FRE is -80. The word count for the ballot summary is 115, and the estimated reading time is 30 seconds. In 2018, for the 167 statewide measures on the ballot, the average ballot title or question was written at a level appropriate for those with between 19 and 20 years of U.S. formal education (graduate school-level of education), according to the FKGL formula. Read Ballotpedia's entire 2018 ballot language readability report here.

Support

Save Idaho Horse Racing led the campaign in support of this initiative.

Supporters

• Idaho Governor Butch Otter (R)
• Sen. Patti Anne Lodge (R)
• Bruce Newcomb (R), former Speaker of the Idaho House of Representatives
• Boise Mayor Dave Bieter
• Fair Board President Dan Heaton of the Gem County Fairgrounds

Arguments

• Save Idaho Horse Racing featured the following arguments on its website:

“

This ballot initiative will bring back and create hundreds of good-paying jobs. A Boise State University study projected that horse racing would contribute $50 million in payroll, goods, and services in 2015. Historical Horse Racing (HHR) is regulated and audited by the state. Like wagering on live horse racing, HHR is a form of pari-mutuel betting, whereby bettors place wagers that are pooled with other bettors (as opposed to casino games, where bettors wager against “the house.”) At least 90% of all wagers are returned to bettors. HHR terminals will only be allowed at racetracks that have at least 8 live racing days/year. HHR terminals are not casino games or slot machines. This proposal does not legalize slot machines or any other type of video gaming. A percentage of HHR revenue is explicitly dedicated to Idaho’s public schools, amounting to millions of dollars for classrooms across the state. 21 states already allow some form of gaming to supplement live horse racing and enable the industry to survive without government support.

”

• Idaho Governor Butch Otter (R) said, "Fewer race days and vacant tracks are bad for all of us, not just those who run horses. Generations of Idahoans have a direct connection to the horse industry."

• Bruce Newcomb (R), former Speaker of the Idaho House of Representatives and campaign chairman of Save Idaho Horse Racing, said, "This first phase of the campaign has shown the depth and breadth of support and goodwill that we Idahoans have always had for horse racing, which has long been part of our state's economy and heritage. Tens of thousands of people told our petition circulators and volunteers that they've been saddened by the absence of horse racing and can't wait for its return. Folks are also counting on the many jobs that horse racing generates to come back to Idaho."

• Clayton Russel, vice president of racing for the Idaho Quarter Horse Association, said, “We’re hoping this will at least get it in front of the people. Without it, I think horse racing is dead in Idaho. There is just not enough revenue otherwise to support the purses needed to make a healthy industry viable.”

• Idaho Racing Commission Executive Director Frank Lamb said regarding the passage of House Bill 220 in 2013 that authorized historical horse racing in Idaho, "They look like slot machines because they're supposed to look like slot machines. That's what people want. This is what we need to do to get people to play. The whole point is to increase the purses to bring back the horse racing business. The more money is being spent, the better."

Opposition

Idaho United Against Prop 1 led the campaign in opposition to Proposition 1.

Opponents

• North Idaho Voter Project
• Coeur d'Alene Tribe

Arguments

Natalie Podgorski, representing the North Idaho Voter Project, said, "What we're really committed to is bringing truth to Idahoans and making sure that Idahoans and registered voters have all of the facts before they sign a petition. So we're just trying to make sure people understand what the ballot initiative is really about. Some of these are flat out lies and at best some of them are half-truths. What this legislation really does, it's all about historical horse racing machines. It's not actually about horse racing. It would legalize and allow these machines to be installed anywhere in the state that would allow eight days of live horse racing."

Idaho United Against Prop 1 featured the following arguments on its website:

“

Prop 1 will allow unlimited expansion of gambling machines – called “historical horse racing” terminals – in Idaho. Idaho Public Schools may only receive 0.5 percent of gross machine revenues. Prop 1 is about gambling machines, not horses: While machines would be located all over Idaho, gamblers have no way of knowing if the more than 50,000 previously videotaped races actually ran in Idaho or from another location out of the state. Even though these machines could operate 365 days a year, Idaho horse races would still occur only 8 days a year. Prop 1 promoters have not been honest with Idaho voters in the past.

”

Media editorials

See also: 2018 ballot measure media endorsements

Support

Ballotpedia had not identified any media editorials supporting the ballot initiative. If you are aware of one, please send an email with a link to editor@ballotpedia.org.

Opposition

• The Idaho Press said: "A majority of our board members didn’t buy the argument that the state needs to allow the slot machines in order to maintain live horse racing, which can’t sustain itself without revenue from the slot machines. [...] We are supporters of Idaho’s horse racing heritage, and we hope it can find a way to survive. But in the end, we don’t support this legal carve-out to prop up a private business venture that can’t stand on its own without it. Slot machines — even for a good cause — are just a step too far down the gambling path for us to support."

• Moscow-Pullman Daily News said: "If passed by voters, the initiative will probably face court challenges as being unconstitutional - and it very well may be. From our perspective in the track-free northern half of the state, this proposition will do little for the state, the racing industry or those associated with it. We recommend a 'No' vote on Prop. 1.

• The Idaho Statesman said, "It is a complex and confusing measure, and one whose impact can’t be fully predicted. Proposition 1 does not seem a safe bet. The impact is uncertain, as is the constitutionality of the measure. If it passes, Idaho likely will face legal challenges before it can be implemented."

• The Post-Register said, "Our decision comes down to this: Passing Prop 1 will waste taxpayers’ money. You can expect a lawsuit testing the question to be filed instantly if Prop 1 passes. These are complicated, intricate legal questions that any enterprising attorney would love to hash out in great detail — for $200 per hour. And since the state would have to defend the law, you can expect to pick up the bill."

Campaign finance

See also: Campaign finance requirements for Idaho ballot measures

Ballotpedia identified two committees registered to support the measure: the Committee to Save Idaho Horse Racing, Create Jobs, and Fund Public Schools and the Idaho Horse Racing PAC. Together, the committees raised $6.39 million and spent $7.56 million. Treasure Valley Racing provided 100 percent of the contributions to the support committees.

Ballotpedia identified two committees registered to oppose the measure: the North Idaho Voter Project and Idaho United Against Prop 1. Together, the committees raised $6.8 million and spent $6.75 million. The largest donor to the committees was the Coeur d'Alene Tribe, which gave $6.32 million.

	Cash Contributions	In-Kind Contributions	Total Contributions	Cash Expenditures	Total Expenditures
Support	$6,387,535.79	$9,909.40	$6,397,445.19	$7,555,664.91	$7,565,574.31
Oppose	$6,702,199.67	$100,299.95	$6,802,499.62	$6,648,087.24	$6,748,387.19
Total	$13,089,735.46	$110,209.35	$13,199,944.81	$14,203,752.15	$14,313,961.50

Support

The following table includes contribution and expenditure totals for the committees in support of the measure.

Committees in support of Proposition 1
Committee	Cash Contributions	In-Kind Contributions	Total Contributions	Cash Expenditures	Total Expenditures
Committee to Save Idaho Horse Racing, Create Jobs, and Fund Public Schools	$6,387,035.79	$9,909.40	$6,396,945.19	$7,555,164.91	$7,565,074.31
Idaho Horse Racing PAC	$500.00	$0.00	$500.00	$500.00	$500.00
Total	$6,387,535.79	$9,909.40	$6,397,445.19	$7,555,664.91	$7,565,574.31

Top donors

The largest and only donor in support of Proposition 1 is below:

Donor	Amount
Treasure Valley Racing	$6,397,445.19

Opposition

The following table includes contribution and expenditure totals for the committees in opposition to the initiative.

Committees in opposition to Proposition 1
Committee	Cash Contributions	In-Kind Contributions	Total Contributions	Cash Expenditures	Total Expenditures
Idaho United Against Prop 1	$6,503,355.80	$99,099.95	$6,602,455.75	$6,448,043.67	$6,547,143.62
North Idaho Voter Project	$198,843.87	$1,200.00	$200,043.87	$200,043.57	$201,243.57
Total	$6,702,199.67	$100,299.95	$6,802,499.62	$6,648,087.24	$6,748,387.19

Top donors

Donor	Cash	In-kind	Total
Coeur d'Alene Tribe	$6,216,019.72	$100,299.95	$6,316,319.67
Kalispel Tribal Economic Authority	$300,000.00	$0.00	$300,000.00
Washington Indian Gaming Association	$100,000.00	$0.00	$100,000.00
Kootenai Tribe of Idaho	$50,000.00	$0.00	$50,000.00
Nez Perce Tribe	$50,000.00	$0.00	$50,000.00

Methodology

To read Ballotpedia's methodology for covering ballot measure campaign finance information, click here.

Background

Historical horse racing and pari-mutuel betting

Historical horse race (also known as instant racing) is defined in the measure as "a race involving live horses that was conducted in the past and that is rebroadcast by electronic means and shown on a delayed or replayed basis for the purposes of pari-mutuel wagering conducted at a facility that is authorized to show simulcast and/or televised races where at least eight (8) live horse race days are conducted annually." Historical horse racing is pari-mutuel, which is defined in the measure as "any system whereby wagers with respect to the outcome of a race are placed with, or in, a wagering pool conducted by a person licensed or otherwise permitted to do so under state law, and in which the participants are wagering with each other and not against the operator." According to Casinopedia, pari-mutuel betting can be described as follows:

“

Pari-mutuel is a term used to describe a system of betting in which all the bets are pooled and will be shared among the highest winners. Having originated in France to be applied to games including horse racing and sports events, pari-mutuel is now in common use among gamblers participating in lotto games. In pari-mutuel games, the bets from all the players are pooled into a pot. Then, when the results come in, the total sum of the bets will be split among the players who either bet on the top three competitors (for example, those in first-, second-, and third-place in a horse race) or those who have all won the jackpot in a game of lotto. A small portion of these pooled bets will be put aside for the management or the bookies, but the remaining money will be shared fairly across the winning bettors.

”

Status of historical horse racing in Idaho

Idaho legalized historical horse racing in 2013 with the passage of House Bill 220. It was repealed through Senate Bill 1011 in 2015. This measure was designed to once again legalize historical horse racing through video terminals and is very similar to 2013 House Bill 220.

Status of gambling in Idaho

See also: Article III, Idaho Constitution

Slot machines and "any electronic or electromechanical imitation or simulation of any form of casino gambling " are illegal under the section 20 of Article III of the state constitution. Chapter 38 of Title 18 of the Idaho Statutes says, "it shall be a misdemeanor for any person to use, possess, operate, keep, sell, or maintain for use or operation or otherwise, anywhere within the state of Idaho, any slot machine of any sort or kind whatsoever."

Historical horse racing in other states

The Virginia House of Delegates passed House Bill 1609 on February 28, 2018, that would authorize historical horse racing. It was approved by the governor on April 9, 2018, and is effective beginning July 1, 2018. Historical horse racing, or instant racing, is legal in Kentucky, Alabama, Oregon, and Wyoming, though the legality of historical horse racing has been challenged over the years. In Wyoming, the Wyoming Supreme Court ruled that instant racing was illegal because of its likeness to slot machines in 2006. Historical horse racing was reinstated in Wyoming in 2013.

Path to the ballot

See also: Laws governing the initiative process in Idaho

The state process

In Idaho, the number of signatures required to qualify an initiated state statute for the ballot is equal to 6 percent of the registered voters as of the state's last general election. Petitions can be circulated for up to 18 months. Idaho features a distribution requirement that signatures equal to at least 6 percent of registered voters in 18 of the state's 35 legislative districts be included in petitions. Signatures for initiatives must be submitted by May 1 of the year in which the measure is to go on the ballot.

The requirements to get an initiated state statute certified for the 2018 ballot:

• Signatures: 56,192 valid signatures were required.
• Deadline: The deadline to submit signatures was May 1, 2018.

Initiative petition signatures are verified by county clerks and then sent to the secretary of state for certification.

Cost of signature collection:
Sponsors of the measure hired FieldWorks LLC to collect signatures for the petition to qualify this measure for the ballot. A total of $1,251,549.68 was spent to collect the 56,192 valid signatures required to put this measure before voters, resulting in a total cost per required signature (CPRS) of $22.27.

Details about this initiative

• The initiative received a certificate of review from the attorney general on January 12, 2018.
• Save Idaho Horse Racing, the proponents of the initiative, said they had collected 114,815 signatures as of May 1, 2018.
• As of June 22, 2018, Idaho Secretary of State Lawerence Denney said county clerks had unofficially verified around 61,400 signatures. To qualify, proponents must submit 56,192 valid signatures and meet thresholds in at least 18 of Idaho's 35 legislative districts.
• On July 10, 2018, the Idaho secretary of state's office announced that the measure had qualified for the November 2018 ballot after 59,000 signatures were found to be valid and thresholds were found to be met in 20 of Idaho's 35 legislative districts. To qualify, proponents needed to submit 56,192 valid signatures and meet thresholds in at least 18 of Idaho's 35 legislative districts.

How to cast a vote

See also: Voting in Idaho

Poll times

In Idaho, all polls are open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. local time. In some instances, polls may open at 7:00 a.m., at the discretion of the local clerk. Idaho is split between Mountain and Pacific time zones. An individual who is in line at the time polls close must be allowed to vote.

Registration requirements

Check your voter registration status here.

To register to vote in Idaho, an individual must be a citizen of the United States, a resident of the Idaho county in which they are registering for at least 30 days before the election, and at least 18 years old on or before Election Day.

Registration in advance of election day may be completed online, in person at the county clerk's office, or by mail. The deadline to register to vote online is the 11th day before the election. A registration application submitted by mail must be received by the 5:00 p.m. on the 11th day before the election. Voters may also register in-person at an early voting location or on Election Day.

Idaho requires a photo ID and proof of residence to register to vote in person. According to the secretary of state's website, a valid photo ID is one of:

• Idaho Driver’s License
• Idaho Identification Card
• Passport or Federal ID
• Tribal ID Card
• Concealed Weapons License issued by a county sheriff in Idaho

A valid proof of residence is one of:

• Above photo ID with the correct address
• Proof of insurance
• Mortgage, lease, or rental agreement
• Property tax assessment, bill
• Utility bill (no cell bills)
• Bank/credit card statement
• Paystub/paycheck
• Intake document to a care facility
• Enrollment letter from an Idaho high school or university
• Letter from a social service agency

A voter registering to vote by a mail application must provide their Idaho driver's license number or their social security number. If the voter is registering for the first time they must also include a copy of a photo ID and proof of residence. Eligible documents are listed above.

Automatic registration

See also: Automatic voter registration

Idaho does not practice automatic voter registration.

Online registration

See also: Online voter registration

Idaho has implemented an online voter registration system. Residents can register to vote by visiting this website.

Same-day registration

See also: Online voter registration

Idaho allows same-day voter registration.

Residency requirements

Idaho law requires 30 days of residency in one of the state’s counties before a person may vote.

Verification of citizenship

See also: Laws permitting noncitizens to vote in the United States

Idaho does not require proof of citizenship for voter registration. An individual applying to register to vote must attest that they are a U.S. citizen under penalty of perjury.

All 49 states with voter registration systems require applicants to declare that they are U.S. citizens in order to register to vote in state and federal elections, under penalty of perjury or other punishment. Seven states — Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, New Hampshire, and Wyoming — have laws requiring verification of citizenship at the time of voter registration, whether in effect or not. One state, Ohio, requires proof of citizenship only when registering to vote at a Bureau of Motor Vehicles facility. In three states — California, Maryland, and Vermont — at least one local jurisdiction allows noncitizens to vote in some local elections. Noncitizens registering to vote in those elections must complete a voter registration application provided by the local jurisdiction and are not eligible to register as state or federal voters.

Verifying your registration

The page Voter Information Look-Up, run by the Idaho Secretary of State's office, allows residents to check their voter registration status online.

State profile

Demographic data for Idaho
	Idaho	U.S.
Total population:	1,652,828	316,515,021
Land area (sq mi):	82,643	3,531,905
Race and ethnicity**
White:	91.7%	73.6%
Black/African American:	0.6%	12.6%
Asian:	1.3%	5.1%
Native American:	1.3%	0.8%
Pacific Islander:	0.1%	0.2%
Two or more:	2.6%	3%
Hispanic/Latino:	11.8%	17.1%
Education
High school graduation rate:	89.5%	86.7%
College graduation rate:	25.9%	29.8%
Income
Median household income:	$47,583	$53,889
Persons below poverty level:	16.9%	11.3%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2010-2015) Click here for more information on the 2020 census and here for more on its impact on the redistricting process in Idaho. **Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here.

Presidential voting pattern

See also: Presidential voting trends in Idaho

Idaho voted Republican in all seven presidential elections between 2000 and 2024.

More Idaho coverage on Ballotpedia

• Elections in Idaho
• United States congressional delegations from Idaho
• Public policy in Idaho
• Endorsers in Idaho
• Idaho fact checks
• More...

Related measures

2018

Gambling measures on the ballot in 2018
State	Measures
Florida	Florida Amendment 3: Voter Approval of Casino Gambling Initiative a
Missouri	Missouri Amendment 4: Management and Advertisement of Bingo Games Amendment a
Maryland	Maryland Question 1: Gambling Revenue Dedicated to Education Lockbox Amendment a
Florida	Florida Amendment 13, Ban on Wagering on Dog Races Amendment a
Arkansas	Arkansas Issue 4: Casinos Authorized in Crittenden, Garland, Pope, and Jefferson Counties a

2017

Gambling measures on the ballot in 2017
State	Measures
Maine	Maine Question 1: Casino or Slot Machines in York County Initiative d
Texas	Texas Proposition 7: Financial Institutions to Offer Prizes to Promote Savings Amendment a
Texas	Texas Proposition 5: Definition of Professional Sports Team in Charitable Raffles a

See also

2018 measures

• 2018 ballot measures
• Gambling on the ballot

Idaho

• Idaho ballot measures
• Idaho ballot measure laws

News and analysis

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

External links

• Full text of the measure
• Search Google News for this topic

Support

• Save Idaho Horse Racing website
• Save Idaho Horse Racing Facebook
• Save Idaho Horse Racing Twitter

Opposition

• Idaho United Against Prop 1 website
• Idaho United Against Prop 1 Facebook
• Idaho United Against Prop 1 Twitter