1999 Alabama Amendment 1

Last updated

1999 Alabama Amendment 1
Flag of Alabama.svg
October 12, 1999

Alabama State Lottery Amendment
Results
Choice
Votes %
Check-71-128-204-brightblue.svg Yes568,28945.79%
Light brown x.svg No672,80254.21%
Valid votes1,241,091100.00%
Invalid or blank votes00.00%
Total votes1,241,091100.00%

1999 Alabama Amendment 1 results map by county.svg

Alabama Amendment 1 was a legislatively referred constitutional amendment that appeared on the ballot in the U.S. State of Alabama on October 12, 1999. The amendment would have established a state lottery in Alabama.

Contents

Background

In 1999, Alabama was one of thirteen states without a state lottery. Governor Don Siegelman proposed this measure to the legislature, who approved and placed it onto the ballot. [1] The bill was criticized by religious leaders as a form of gambling, which many described as a sinful act. [2] Former Governor of Georgia Zell Miller campaigned alongside Siegelman in favor of the amendment. [2] Pro-lottery arguments focused on keeping money in the state, as state taxes went to the national lottery, which Alabama did not benefit from. [3]

Results

The amendment was rejected with 54% in opposition. [4]

Alabama Amendment 1
ChoiceVotes %
Light brown x.svg No672,80254.21
Yes568,28945.79
Total votes1,241,091100.00
Source: Alabama Secretary of State [5]

Aftermath

In 2016, a similar bill proposed by Governor Robert J. Bentley was criticized by Siegelman, who criticized greed being the motive behind the bill. [6] In 2022, he later criticized Poarch Creek Indians, citing the Choctaw Indians as the ones who opposed and blocked the amendment. [7]

References

  1. Gattis, Paul. "Here's what happened the last time Alabama voted on lottery". AL.com. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
  2. 1 2 "Alabama Lottery No Longer Sure Bet". Stateline. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
  3. Sandham, Jessica. "Debate Grows As Alabama Lottery Vote Nears". Education week. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
  4. "Voters in Alabama Soundly Defeat State Lottery". The New York Times . Retrieved November 19, 2024.
  5. "Special Constitutional Amendment Election - County Level Results". Alabama Secretary of State . Retrieved November 19, 2024.
  6. Varner, Brandon. ""Shame on you!": Former governor Don Siegelman writes lottery response letter". CBS 42. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
  7. "'I told you so, Alabama': Siegelman laments failed 1999 lottery vote". 1819 News. Retrieved November 19, 2024.