Guess what? We will get the full results of the Philly's Ballot Box sidewalk casino referendum today!
There were 54 of the bright red ballot boxes throughout the city last Tuesday, as well as Internet voting.
Obviously, we'll bring you the update when we get it.
PS: Bob Brady was among those who let his voice be heard...
Comments (19)
Honestly, I live in the Passyunk Square area and there was no ballot box outside of my voting location. How can that be? I mean, I'm in an area that would be affected by the casino and yet they put ballot boxes in center city? These anti-casino people are nuts, they need to find another cause because their argument and their movement is so completely one-sided, I have to wonder who really is behind it and where they're getting their money. I'm sure that we'll also never know the true results of the vote because if it were to come out in the favor of the casinos, they would either lie or tweak the results. I'm sure if they actually polled the entire city, they would lose. Just a hunch. I am against the casinos and gambling in Philadelphia, BUT I do think the waterfront needs to be developed....and no matter what kind of development goes in those locations, these people will have a problem with it.
Posted by Ricker | May 21, 2007 8:21 AM
Casinos will be delayed here until the shakedown artists who are posing as city council members get the right amount of money. It's the same reason it took 20 years to get cable TV in Philly.
Posted by Charles | May 21, 2007 9:05 AM
There wasn't one in East Falls.
Wassupwithat?
Posted by no_casino_here | May 21, 2007 9:20 AM
If they build anything resembling the new Harrah's "dump" in Chester, don't worry, they will be out of business in 10 years. It is like "My Name is Earl" land,what a joke.
Posted by james | May 21, 2007 9:27 AM
Other than as a PR stunt, I'm not sure why this casino ballot thing should be taken seriously. It's not like it's a real vote or even representative of how citizens would really vote if it were on the official ballot.
Posted by Anonymous | May 21, 2007 10:19 AM
I did not see any ballot box from www.phillysballotbox.org at my polling location in Lower Merion.
Posted by Ronnie Rubin | May 21, 2007 10:26 AM
I don't understand the criticism of the ballot box initiative. All you have to do is look at the history of the casino issue, to realize that what they're doing is commendable, not some sort of a dirty trick.
The citizens of Pennsylvania never had a chance to vote if they wanted casinos in their neighborhoods. We are the only state not to have a referendum about legalizing casino gambling. When local activists collected over 20,000 signatures to put a ballot question for Philadelphia voters to have their say about casino placement, it was struck down by a judge over allegations of fraudulent signatures, even though the signatures were never actualyl reviewed. When City Counsil unanimously voted to put the question on the ballot (twice), it was placed on injunction, by a Supreme Court that didn't even see fit to give an opinion. Something doesn't smell right here, and it's a shame that people are so willing to give up their democratic rights to have their voice heard.
Whether you're for or against casinos, I don't understand how so many people are against giving the citizens of Philadelphia a voice in the process. I applaud the CasiNO people for not laying down and putting up a fight. It's a shame they couldn't get more volunteers so they could be at more locations, but at least they're making an effort, while the armchair bloggers make their snide remarks.
Posted by Roman | May 21, 2007 10:43 AM
There was only ONE ballot box in Fishtown! ONE! They say that the Citizens of Pennsylvania never had a chance to vote? Well neither did the citizens of Fishtown on election day! Why all of the boxes in Center City? It has been one week since the election and still no results?
I would LOVE to know where these carpetbaggers are getting their money from
Posted by jobber | May 21, 2007 11:19 AM
The question is, what is the purpose of the ballot box initiative? How is it any different from a petition and what do they expect to achieve? If it's just to create a lot of noise about the issue, then great. But let's not pretend that it's a real referendum. I'm sympathetic to their cause and agree that there should be more city and community input, but I also recognize that the ballot initiative is just a way to collect signatures of people who are against the casinos. It doesn't represent a real vote on the issue. It's theater, which is fine, but let's not fool ourselves to think it's anything more than publicity for the issue.
Posted by Anonymous | May 21, 2007 11:25 AM
Just what exactly do you mean by carpetbaggers? I happen to know a couple of the CasiNO organizers and they are all local activists. They live in neighborhoods that would be effected by these Vegas-size casinos and decided to do something about it. How are they carpetbaggers?
As far as the locations of the ballotboxes, that was limited by the number of volunteers they could get to staff the polls. It was a workday and election day at that, so to get enough volunteers for every polling place in the city was an impossible task. The one Fishtown location was fine. I live in Fishtown, it's not such a huge neighborhood that you couldn't walk over and cast your ballot. There was also the option to vote over the phone or on-line.
As far as the actual purpose of the ballot, it's called a shadow ballot. In other words, since the real ballot was blocked by the courts, without as much as a legal opinion...it functions to give the citizens of the city a chance to have their voice heard. Yes it is meant to get publicity, no one is denying that, but publicity that forces our elected officials into action is exactly what is going to stop casino from being built 100 feet away from people's residences.
Posted by Roman | May 21, 2007 11:54 AM
I didn't see a ballot box the whole day!
Posted by T. Milton Street | May 21, 2007 11:58 AM
Okay, so the ballot initiative is a petition-drive. I'm glad that's cleared up.
Posted by Anonymous | May 21, 2007 12:28 PM
Local activists? Local where? Massachusetts? Ohio? They just happened to plop down in Philly at the exact time the casinos were coming and they didn't know that casinos were coming? What kind of community activists don't know about the community they are moving into?
Carpetbaggers! Who are looking to make a quick buck
Posted by Anonymous | May 21, 2007 3:18 PM
The activists are the common ordinary people who live and work by the riverfront. I know, I lived there too until recently.
Bottom line is whether you are for or against the proposed casino sites, gambling in Philadelphia or anywhere, ALL PENNSYLVANIANS should be appalled that we were never asked our opinion in the matter. As a Philadelphian, I am not sure where to place my pride in democracy anymore. We should all be outraged that a vote on the matter wasn't put to the people, but we're not.
We're not and I choke back the bile as I stand still watching my civil liberties and understanding of the democratic process go right into the hopper.
I think we should sue. They should have asked and let the people decide.
Posted by Peg | May 21, 2007 3:44 PM
We did vote. We elected representatives to decide these matters for us. That's what it means to be a republic. I don't want to have to vote on every issue. If you want to be upset, be upset at your elected leaders in Harrisburg who voted for casino gambling. When we're uphappy with their representation, then our remedy is to elect new leaders. That's how it works.
Posted by Anonymous | May 21, 2007 4:11 PM
That is not how it works when it comes to legalizing gambling. I'll repeat, every single state that legalized casino gambling, did so after a referendum was placed on a ballot that gave the citizens of that state a chance to decide. Every single one other then Pennsylvania. Strange isn't it?
We were never asked if we wanted casinos in the first place. Then we were given no voice over where they'll be located. The whole process was driven by greed from our lawmakers and casino operators/investors. The people whose neighborhoods have to deal with the consequence lose in the end. I'm glad that at least someone is putting up a fight.
Posted by Roman | May 21, 2007 4:20 PM
Then vote out your elected representatives. If you think you're not being properly represented, then your anger should be directed toward those leaders who you think are doing a poor job. The CasiNO people can sue till the cows come home, but I don't see a legal issue here. It's a political issue.
Posted by Anonymous | May 21, 2007 4:38 PM
I agree with the previous poster. I don't agree with the Casino decision, but this is a political matter, not a legal one as far as I can tell. What would be the cause of action?
Posted by JP | May 21, 2007 4:47 PM
Plus, where was all this outcry when the state was considering various locations for the casinos? There were numerous opportunities to voice objections. Where was CasiNO then?
Posted by Anonymous | May 21, 2007 5:31 PM