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Maine Question 2, Permit Slot Machines at Commercial Horse Racetracks Initiative (2003)
| Maine Question 2 | |
|---|---|
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| Election date |
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| Topic Gambling policy |
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| Status |
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| Type Indirect initiated state statute |
Origin |
Maine Question 2 was on the ballot as an indirect initiated state statute in Maine on November 4, 2003. It was approved.
A "yes" vote supported permitting those licensed to operate commercial horse racing tracks to operate slot machines, and prohibiting people younger than 21 from playing slot machines. |
A "no" vote opposed permitting those licensed to operate commercial horse racing tracks to operate slot machines, and prohibiting people younger than 21 from playing slot machines. |
Election results
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Maine Question 2 |
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| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
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272,394 | 52.90% | ||
| No | 242,490 | 47.10% | ||
Aftermath
Nearly seven years following the 2003 vote, some lawmakers questioned whether the measure was implemented as voters expected. In August 2010 Danielle Fox, a policy analyst for the Legislature's Legal and Veterans Affairs Committee broke down the way in which slot revenue was used in the state. Of the $27 million in revenue in 2009, about $1.5 million went to scholarships and $5 million went to the Healthy Maine Fund. The rest, she said, went to accounts to support harness racing. According to reports, more than $11.4 million in 2009 went towards supporting the state's racing industry and agricultural fairs.[1]
Rep. Linda Valentino said, "My concern has always been the revenue we receive from the racino may not be what the voters intended. I think if we add up all of the numbers from 2005 to now, did the voters really intend to be giving tens of millions of dollars -- almost $100 million away -- to these other people that were not listed on the ballot?" State officials said in August 2010 that they plan to continue discussing the issue.[2]
Text of measure
Ballot title
The ballot title for Question 2 was as follows:
| “ | Do you want to allow slot machines at certain commercial horse racing tracks if part of the proceeds are used to lower prescription drug costs for the elderly and disabled, and for scholarships to the state universities and technical colleges? | ” |
Full Text
The full text of this measure is available here.
Path to the ballot
An indirect initiated state statute is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that amends state statute. There are nine (9) states that allow citizens to initiate indirect state statutes.
While a direct initiative is placed on the ballot once supporters file the required number of valid signatures, an indirect initiative is first presented to the state legislature. Legislators have a certain number of days, depending on the state, to adopt the initiative into law. Should legislators take no action or reject the initiative, the initiative is put on the ballot for voters to decide.
In Maine, the number of signatures required for an indirect initiated state statute is equal to 10% of the total votes cast for governor in the last gubernatorial election prior to the filing of such petition. As an indirect process, the Legislature has until the end of the legislative session to approve the initiative after signatures are certified. If the legislature approves the initiative and the governor approves it, the measure becomes law. If the legislature does not approve the initiative, or if the governor vetoes the measure, it goes to voters for approval. A simple majority vote is required for voter approval.
See also
External links
Footnotes
Template:YEAR ballot measures
