WV Cross-Lanes Table Games

[Artsemis]

http://www.wvgazette.com/section/Top+Stories/

Passed by 33 votes it seems. =) Cross-Lanes is the center of the state so not many outsiders will care about this one but it's worth posting I think.

[oldbookguy]

To be accurate, the current count has the measure ahead by 33 votes with 500 ballots still to be reviewed and counted / discarded.

[ QUOTE ]
Commissioners said there were still 500 provisional ballots left to count, enough to easily affect the outcome of the referendum.

[/ QUOTE ]

The current count may stand up, lets hope so.

obg

[Artsemis]

Thanks for catching that obg, I completely missed it.

[oldbookguy]

No problem, this one is a long way from over.

There will be recounts, courts and more.

Already from the stated tally the pro-gaming side lost about 50 votes somehow in counting the absentee that were counted, then uncounted from what I saw on the late news last night.

Trouble is, this is only close because the county clerk failed to send the proper notice of the vote to the newspaper in time, 2 days late giving the opposition almost 2 extra months to get organized.

BYW, I understand is is a anti as well, though County Commissioner Kent Carper stated at the time he felt there was no intention on her part to delay the vote.

obg

[Legislurker]

IS WV's law essentially the same as Miss and county by county democratic?

[oldbookguy]

Well, most counties are in the hands of Democrats.

This table gaming is odd though.

Passed by the legislature the voting is limited to 4 counties, each a stand alone vote for that county only on table games, the 4 counties already have horse / dog tracks.

Another oddity, 54 of 55 counties have limited video poker / slots as well.

Each location of a video parlor is limited to a max of 5 machines excepts fraternal groups and they get up to 10 each.

One other oddity, a few years ago the legislature passed what is know as the Greenbrier bill, the first table gaming bill designed for the Greenbrier Resort, then the county voted it down and the hotel withdrew from wanting table games.
There is a requirement the location be a National Register Site with 500 rooms.

In we here in Weston step, we have the historic insane Asylum, empty but 900+ rooms as it sits.

We voted by 62+ % for table gaming in Lewis County WITH the support of several church groups. The building however is owned by WV. This Aug. 29 the state is auctioning it to the highest bidder. A license is basically approved for it with renovation and changing the historic designation to a hotel from a hospital.

All in all, we have a mixed up state where the Dems are really some of the best republicans I know, lol.

The dems here almost every year pass anti abortion laws that are opposed by the local GOP that get vetoed by the governor and lots of pro gun laws, again opposed by the GOP. Yep, good republicans the Dems here are, not so sure about the republicans though.

obg

[clabbers]

Watching this carefully as this would be the closest legal poker room to me. 2+2 came up first on google when I searched "Cross Lanes" poker. Thanks for the timely news.

[oldbookguy]

I believe the review of the challenged ballots (ballots cast and not registered in the ward where cast, challenged by on site poll workers) started today.

Will update as news becomes available.

obg

[oldbookguy]

on the news last night it was reported the count will begin friday on the 500 +/- ballots.

PLUS, it seems another 62 absentee / early vote ballots were 'found' in Sissonville in the City Clerks Office that were not originally turned in to the County Office Saturday with the other ballots.....They will have to rule if they are to be opened and counted as well. Ah, the lawyers are going to have fun with this vote.
And to think, when I helped revamp the ballot laws a few years ago I thought these problems were cured, alas.....

obg

[clabbers]

Canvas completed, final margin 343 votes, yes to poker.

http://www.wvah.com/newsroom/shows/10fri.shtml#2

There is a mechanism for challenging the election, but the opponents would have to pony up cash to do so.

[clabbers]

Results to be officially announced today August 21, 2007. This will start a 48 hour deadline for a request for recount at the opponents expense. So there is some chance that the results will become irrevocable by Friday Aug 24, 2007.

[Artsemis]

The opponents already said they can't afford a recount.

[VTJon]

[ QUOTE ]
Results to be officially announced today August 21, 2007. This will start a 48 hour deadline for a request for recount at the opponents expense. So there is some chance that the results will become irrevocable by Friday Aug 24, 2007.

[/ QUOTE ]

Actually, I think it becomes irrevocable by tonight at 6:45PM. The opposition side is calling a news conference at 5:45PM to disclose their intentions. I find it unlikely they will challenge.

http://www.wvgazette.com/section/News/2007082019

[VTJon]

It looks like the opposition side has requested a recount. They will recount the votes on Wednesday, August 29th.

They seem to be hoping to raise the money to pay for it though I'm guessing the $300 bond they had to post keeps them on the hook.

[Legislurker]

Has anyone requested security for the ballots?

[oldbookguy]

Well, the recount is over. Those requesting only had funds to request counting of 44 of 170+ polling locations, lack of fund raising donations from the anti-gaming forces.

Final count dropped from a +343 to a +339.

As a note, betty Ireland, sec. of State is going now to 'audit' the election procedures used by the county to conduct the vote.

The opposition may not be done yet.

obg

[Legislurker]

Whats the timetable on action at the tables?

[oldbookguy]

From what I can now gather, looks like Thanksgiving. originally they hoped to be running by this Labor Day.

For them the sooner the better since licenses are not prorated and expire June 30 each year and these are high dollar ones, 1.5 million I believe.

Although the WV lottery site has the guidelines posted.

Now, the sites need to submit the planned games and table limits for approval.

Also, the WV lottery has hired a company to oversee all training required for their and the sites employess so they can follow rules and stuff.