Alabama § 45-37-150.18 - Referendum.

§ 45-37-150.18. Referendum.

If the vote on the constitutional amendment excepting bingo from the constitutional prohibition against lotteries in Section 65 of the Constitution of Alabama 1901, is approved by a majority of the voters casting ballots thereon in Jefferson County, it shall not be necessary for an election to be held under this article to determine whether the procedures of this article shall be operative in the county. If the amendment passes statewide, but is rejected in Jefferson County, this article shall not be effective until a favorable vote is given by the voters of the county thereon. The governing body of Jefferson County may call and provide for holding a referendum for the purpose of determining if this article shall become operative. The election shall be held and the officers appointed to hold same in the manner provided by law for holding other county elections in the county and the returns thereof tabulated and results certified as provided by law for such elections. The election shall be held not sooner than six months following the election on the constitutional amendment and notice thereof shall be given by publication at least three weeks before the date of the election in a newspaper in the county. The costs of the election, including the cost of notice by publication, shall be paid out of the general funds of the county. On the ballot to be used for such election, the question shall be in the following form:

“Do you favor the operation of bingo games by qualified organizations for charitable purposes in Jefferson County?” If a majority of the votes cast in the referendum are yes, bingo games shall be legal within Jefferson County, and this article shall become operative therein: if the majority of the votes cast in the election are no, this article shall have no further effect until if, in a subsequent referendum, a majority of the votes cast are yes, provided that two years have elapsed between the dates of such elections.