Ohio Licensing of a Casino in Lorain Initiative (1990)

Ohio Licensing of a Casino in Lorain Initiative
Election date November 6, 1990
Topic Gambling policy
Status Defeated
Type Initiated constitutional amendment	Origin Citizens

Ohio Licensing of a Casino in Lorain Initiative was on the ballot as an initiated constitutional amendment in Ohio on November 6, 1990. It was defeated.

A “yes” vote supported authorizing the licensing of a casino resort hotel in the city of Lorain.

A “no” vote opposed authorizing the licensing of a casino resort hotel in the city of Lorain.

Election results

Ohio Licensing of a Casino in Lorain Initiative
Result		Votes	Percentage
Yes		1,270,387	37.71%
No		2,098,725	62.29%

Results are officially certified.

Source

Text of measure

Ballot title

The ballot title for Licensing of a Casino in Lorain Initiative was as follows:

“

To amend Section 6 of Article XV of the Constitution of the State of Ohio To authorize the licensing of a casino resort hotel, including games by electronic and mechanical devices, for profit, in the City of Lorain as a pilot project for a period not yet specified, but for not less than five years, if approved by the voters of the City of Lorain pursuant to laws required to be enacted by the general assembly. To allow the voters of the City of Lorain to vote on the continuation of the casino after the expiration of the pilot period. If after three years the Lorain pilot project is determined by the general assembly to be a success, then the state shall be divided into seven districts. A license to establish a single casino facility in each district may be issued if approved by the voters both in the district and in the political subdivision in which the facility would be located. To levy taxes on gross revenues of games of chance at licensed casinos, on the state lottery, and on horse-racing with pari-mutuel wagering for education and treatment of compulsive gambling, and to levy taxes on gross revenues of games of chance at licensed casinos for other special purposes. Shall the proposed amendment be adopted?

”

Path to the ballot

See also: Signature requirements for ballot measures in Ohio

An initiated constitutional amendment is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that amends a state's constitution. Eighteen (18) states allow citizens to initiate constitutional amendments.

In Ohio, the number of signatures required for an initiated constitutional amendment is equal to 10% of the votes cast in the last gubernatorial election. A simple majority vote is required for voter approval.

Ohio also requires initiative sponsors to submit 1,000 signatures with the initial petition application. Ohio has a signature distribution requirement, which requires that signatures be gathered from at least 44 of Ohio's 88 counties. Petitioners must gather signatures equal to a minimum of half the total required percentage of the gubernatorial vote in each of the 44 counties. Petitions are allowed to circulate for an indefinite period of time. Signatures are due 125 days prior to the general election that proponents want the initiative on.

See also

1990 Measures

• 1990 Measures
• Gambling policy on the ballot
• 1990 legislative sessions

Ohio

• Ohio ballot measures
• Ohio ballot measure laws

News and analysis

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

External links

• Toledo Blade, "Ballot Language, Explanations, Arguments and Resolutions for Amendments to the Ohio Constitution Proposed by the General Assembly and Ballot Language, Arguments and the Full Text of an Amendment to the Ohio Constitution Proposed by Initiative Petition to be Submitted to the Voters at the General Election, November 6, 1990," October 30, 1990