A resolution requesting the Davidson County Delegation to the Tennessee General Assembly to propose an amendment to the Tennessee Constitution to provide for a state-wide election lottery and to allow local governments to implement their own election lotteries.

WHEREAS, election turnout in the United States is among the lowest of all democracies in the world; and

WHEREAS, in the November 2004 presidential election, only 56.7 percent of eligible voters cast a ballot, yet this was the highest level since 1968; and

WHEREAS, On November 7, 2006, the voters in Arizona considered a constitutional amendment that would award $1 million in every general election to one voter chosen by lottery; and

WHEREAS, under the Arizona proposal, the election lottery award would be paid from surplus state lottery proceeds; and

WHEREAS, proponents of the Arizona election lottery maintain that giving voters the chance of winning $1 million would greatly increase voter turnout; and

WHEREAS, although the voters in Arizona defeated the proposed constitutional amendment, voters in Tennessee should be provided with the opportunity to decide whether the lottery provisions in the Tennessee Constitution should be amended to allow state and local election lotteries; and

WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that the Tennessee General Assembly take the action necessary to propose a constitutional amendment providing for election lotteries.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. That the Metropolitan County Council hereby goes on record as requesting the Davidson County Delegation to the Tennessee General Assembly to propose an amendment to the Tennessee Constitution to provide for a state-wide election lottery and to allow local governments to implement their own election lotteries.

Section 2. The Metropolitan Clerk is directed to send a copy of this Resolution to each member of the Davidson County Delegation to the Tennessee General Assembly.

Section 3. That this Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Ludye Wallace