Today is the last day of early voting for state mid-term elections for governor, state and U.S. legislators, and four measures that would amend Tennessee’s constitution.

Voting “Yes” on Amendment 4 would place the following words into Article XI, Section 5 of the Constitution:

“All other forms of lottery not authorized heron are expressly prohibited unless authorized by a two-thirds vote of all member selected to each house of the general assembly for an annual event operated for the benefit of a 501(c)(3) or a 501(c)(19) organization, as defined by the 2000 United States Tax Code, located in this state.”

Currently, gambling and lotteries are only allowed in Tennessee if the proceeds benefit higher education, such as the HOPE Lottery Scholarship. However, exceptions can be made if approved by two-thirds of the state legislature to benefit of a non-profit organization qualifying for a 501(c)(3) tax-exemption.

As amended, these approved annual events could also benefit nonprofit veterans’ organizations like the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans or Veterans of Foreign Wars which are tax-exempt under section 501(c)(19) of the tax code.

A vote of “No” would keep the constitution the same.

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To contact news editors Max Smith and Meagan White, email [email protected]