Voting in the United States: Ballot Questions: Rhode Island
2016 Rhode Island Ballot Questions
This page will acquaint you with the ballot questions for Rhode Island in 2016.
This page contains:
- The Ballot Question (text as you will see it on the ballot)
- What a Yes Vote and a No Vote means for that question
- An overview of the question
- Link to the full text of the measure, the summary, opposition to the measure and more at BallotPedia.ORG.
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Tiverton Casinos |
Rhode Island Ethics Commission Amendment |
Question #2
The Question:
Rhode Island Ethics Commission Amendment.
Yes & No Votes
| FOR | A "yes" vote supports providing the Rhode Island Ethics Commission with authority to investigate alleged misconduct regarding legislative activities. |
| AGAINST | A "no" vote opposes providing the Rhode Island Ethics Commission with authority to investigate alleged misconduct regarding legislative activities, thereby continuing to grant legislators immunity from investigation of legislative acts under the Speech in Debate Clause of the Rhode Island Constitution |
Overview:
Currently, the Rhode Island Ethics Commission cannot investigate or prosecute legislators for things pertaining to their legislative activities. This inability of the Ethics Commission to investigate or prosecute legislative activities was upheld during a court case. The Supreme Court noted that the constitution could be changed to grant such an ability. Question 2 was designed to provide the Ethics Commission with the authority to investigate and prosecute legislative activities. Question 2 was also designed to require 2/3 majority vote to enact any rules and regulations.
Question #1
The Question:
Rhode Island Twin River Casino in Tiverton. Shall a gambling facility and/or activity be established in the town (or city) of Tiverton?
Yes & No Votes
| FOR | A vote "for" the measure is a vote to approve a gaming facility in the town of Tiverton. |
| AGAINST | A "against" the measure is a vote to prevent the gaming facility from being approved. |
Overview:
The facility would be licensed as a pari-mutuel facility and would have state-operated video lottery games and casino gaming. If approved, Question 1 would require that the state receive 15.5 percent of table games and 61 percent of video lottery terminal revenues. In addition, Tiverton would keep one percent of table game and 1.45 percent of video lottery terminal revenues, and be guaranteed at least $3 million annually, with any discrepancies to be paid out of the state's share.