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Wisconsin Question 1, Charitable Bingo Amendment (April 1973)
| Wisconsin Question 1 | |
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| Election date |
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| Topic Gambling policy |
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| Status |
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| Type Legislatively referred constitutional amendment |
Origin |
Wisconsin Question 1 was on the ballot as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment in Wisconsin on April 3, 1973. It was approved.
A "yes" vote supported amending the constitution to allow the legislature to legalize bingo games operated by certain charitable organizations. |
A "no" vote opposed amending the constitution to allow the legislature to legalize bingo games operated by certain charitable organizations. |
Election results
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Wisconsin Question 1 |
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| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
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645,544 | 62.25% | ||
| No | 391,499 | 37.75% | ||
Text of measure
Ballot title
The ballot title for Question 1 was as follows:
| “ | Shall section 24 of article IV of the constitution be amended to permit the legislature to authorize bingo games to be operated by religious, charitable, service, fraternal or veterans' organizations licensed by the state? (Note-The constitution presently provides that the legislature shall never authorize a lottery (a chance for a prize for a price). Therefore, bingo games conducted as a lottery are prohibited. A 'yes' vote on this amendment would permit the legislature to authorize religious, charitable, service, fraternal or veterans' organizations, and any organization to which contributions are deductible for state or federal income tax purposes, to operate state licensed bingo games. The amendment would also require that all profits accrue to the benefit of the licensed organization and that no salaries, fees or profits could be paid to any other organization or person. | ” |
Constitutional changes
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(Article IV) Section 24. The legislature shall never authorize any lottery, or grant any divorce, but may authorize bingo games licensed by the state, and operated by religious, charitable service, fraternal or veterans' organizations or those to which contributions are deductible for federal or state income tax purposes. All profits must inure to the licensed organization and no salaries, fees or profits shall be paid to any other organization or person. Except as the legislature may provide otherwise, to listen to or watch a television or radio program, to fill out a coupon or entry blank, whether or not proof of purchase is required, or to visit a mercantile establishment or other place without being required to make a purchase or pay an admittance fee does not constitute consideration as an element of a lottery. |
Path to the ballot
- See also: Amending the Wisconsin Constitution
A simple majority vote is required during two legislative sessions for the Wisconsin State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 50 votes in the Wisconsin State Assembly and 17 votes in the Wisconsin State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.
See also
Footnotes
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State of Wisconsin Madison (capital) |
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