[G]ambling ballot measures fared far better in the red areas than the blue areas. Most every blue state clearly rejected expanded gambling. California is the most dramatic example.

In a state where Kerry won with a 10 percent margin, two propositions to expand gambling were overwhelmingly defeated. Proposition 70, which would have expanded Indian gaming, lost by a whopping 76 percent to 24 percent. Proposition 68, which would have authorized expanded gambling at racetracks and card rooms, failed by an even larger margin of 83.7 percent to 16.3 percent. In no county in California did this proposition receive more than 20 percent of the vote. In quintessentially liberal Marin County, Proposition 68 won 10 percent of the vote.

Expanded gambling also lost badly in Washington. An initiative proposal that would have allowed electronic gaming devices at non-tribal locations throughout the state lost by 60 percent to 40 percent.

In Michigan, a constitutional amendment requiring the approval of the electorate to expand casino gambling was opposed by Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm and the state's teacher unions. This additional restriction on gambling passed by 58 percent to 42 percent.

New York's Tompkins County, the home of Cornell University, overwhelmingly backed Kerry, but defeated off-track betting by a similar margin. The blues voted against expanding gambling.

Hey! I'm Shane... a proud gay progressive Democrat who has recently relocated to New York City from Ithaca, NY. As I am no longer in Ithaca, I haven't quite decided the fate of this blog.

Drop me a line!
shane@happilystuckinithaca.com

Ithaca Directory

Site hosted by Dreamhost.
Highly recommended!