Will voters' decision on slots be overturned?

The Supreme Court decides to wait for a trial to run its course.

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published September 28, 2007

TALLAHASSEE - The state Supreme Court Thursday held off a decision on whether a state constitutional amendment allowing slot machines in South Florida can be invalidated due to forged petition signatures.

The justices unanimously agreed to wait until after a trial on allegations the petitions included the names of voters who now deny signing, dead people and even pets.

"It is preferable that the facts of this case be developed regarding the allegations and pervasiveness of the fraud before we articulate a rule of law," Justice Barbara Pariente wrote for the court.

In oral argument Sept. 17, a lawyer for Floridians for a Level Playing Field argued the amendment should be upheld no matter how pervasive the fraud because voters "cured" that problem by passing the measure in 2004.

Attorneys for the state and antislots groups argued that would unjustly and unconstitutionally reward fraud. They said the amendment should be stricken if it no longer has the necessary signatures - more than 610,000 - to get on the ballot after fraudulent names are removed.

The amendment permits horse and dog tracks and jai alai frontons in Broward and Miami-Dade counties to have slot machines if approved by local voters. Broward voters have passed the proposal. It narrowly failed in Miami-Dade but will be on the ballot again in January.

[Last modified September 27, 2007, 23:11:10]