1999 Alabama Amendment 1
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox referendum
|date=October 12, 1999
|name=1999 Alabama Amendment 1
|country=Alabama
|question=Alabama State Lottery Amendment
|yes=568,289
|no=672,802
|total=1,241,091
| map = 1999 Alabama Amendment 1 results map by county.svg
|mapcaption={{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
No
{{legend|#8B8B54|70-80%}}
{{legend|#BCBC83|60-70%}}
{{legend|#DEDEBD|50-60%}}
{{col-2}}
Yes
{{legend|#47729E|70-80%}}
{{legend|#7D9CBB|60-70%}}
{{legend|#B6C8D9|50-60%}}
{{col-end}}
}}
{{Elections in Alabama}}
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.
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.{{cite web |last1=Gattis |first1=Paul |title=Here's what happened the last time Alabama voted on lottery |url=https://www.al.com/news/2016/07/heres_what_happened_the_last_t.html |website=AL.com |access-date=19 November 2024}} The bill was criticized by religious leaders as a form of gambling, which many described as a sinful act.{{cite web |title=Alabama Lottery No Longer Sure Bet |url=https://stateline.org/1999/10/07/alabama-lottery-no-longer-sure-bet/ |website=Stateline |access-date=19 November 2024}} Former Governor of Georgia Zell Miller campaigned alongside Siegelman in favor of the amendment. Pro-lottery arguments focused on keeping money in the state, as state taxes went to the national lottery, which Alabama did not benefit from.{{cite web |last1=Sandham |first1=Jessica |title=Debate Grows As Alabama Lottery Vote Nears |url=https://www.edweek.org/education/debate-grows-as-alabama-lottery-vote-nears/1999/10 |website=Education week |access-date=19 November 2024}}
Results
The amendment was rejected with 54% in opposition.{{cite web |title=Voters in Alabama Soundly Defeat State Lottery |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/10/13/us/voters-in-alabama-soundly-defeat-state-lottery.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=19 November 2024}}
{{Referendum
| title = Alabama Amendment 1
| yes = 568,289
| yespct = 45.79
| no = 672,802
| nopct = 54.21
| total=1,241,091
| source = Alabama Secretary of State{{cite web |title=Special Constitutional Amendment Election - County Level Results |url=https://www.sos.alabama.gov/sites/default/files/election-data/2017-06/1999sce.xls |website=Alabama Secretary of State |access-date=19 November 2024}}
}}
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.{{cite web |last1=Varner |first1=Brandon |title="Shame on you!": Former governor Don Siegelman writes lottery response letter |url=https://www.cbs42.com/news/local/shame-on-you-former-governor-don-siegelman-writes-lottery-response-letter/ |website=CBS 42 |access-date=19 November 2024}} In 2022, he later criticized Poarch Creek Indians, citing the Choctaw Indians as the ones who opposed and blocked the amendment.{{cite web |title='I told you so, Alabama': Siegelman laments failed 1999 lottery vote |url=https://1819news.com/news/item/i-told-you-so-alabama-siegelman-laments-failed-1999-lottery-vote |website=1819 News |access-date=19 November 2024}}