OXFORD — At 11:45 p.m. Tuesday, the casino referendum was too close to call.
Question 1 took an early lead as results trickled in. With 48 percent of precincts reporting, yes voters held a slight lead at 50.5 percent.
In Oxford County, local voters came out in support of the referendum. According to unofficial results, Norway voters were in favor 1,500 to 888.
“I’m voting yes on one because I think it will be great for the economy,” Norway resident Michelle Wood, 27, said outside the voting station Tuesday.
Paris voted for the referendum by a tally of 1,436 to 839, according to unofficial results.
Polls of likely voters over the past month have shown the casino leading with as many as 13 points. Casino supporters were cautiously optimistic going into Election Day.
Pro-casino group Maine Taxpayers Taking Charge represented Black Bear Entertainment, the group of Maine investors who would fund the casino if approved.
Rob Lally, a Black Bear Entertainment investor and a real estate developer, said the pro-casino group was optimistic at their campaign headquarters in Paris. “We know it’s close, but we hope it passes so we can get up tomorrow and get to work.”
The anti-casino coalition was a diverse one. In Norway, the Oxford Hills No on 1 campaign included pastors and business owners from around the county. Moose Pond Arts and Ecology co-founders Scott and Zizi Vlaun led the group.
“We’re on the edge of our seat,” Scott Vlaun said Tuesday night. “We’re hanging in. We’re still hopeful.”
CasinosNo! has been around since 2002 to oppose casino referendums across Maine. With 3,000 members, CasinosNo! has fought several casino proposals in recent years, including a 2008 referendum for an Oxford County casino.
Finally, Citizens Against the Oxford Casino included gambling interests that would be hurt by an Oxford Hills Casino, such as Hollywood Slots in Bangor and the Maine Harness Horsemen’s Association. The Maine Association of Agricultural Fairs was also a sponsor.
Journalism student Abby Shanor contributed to this report.
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- OhNO on One supporters, from left, Scott Berk of Otisfield, Katey Branch of South Paris and Lee Dassler, also of Otisfield, share a laugh at the campaign’s post-election party above Cafe Nomad in Norway on Tuesday.
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- Sumner Sessions, center, of Norway, celebrates his $50 cash win with Jim Boldebook, right, after spinning the wheel at the Yes on One party at Maurice Restaurant Francais in South Paris on Tuesday. “I didn’t really feel like it was all that bad of an influence, because all I did was spin the wheel,” said Sessions, referring to anti-casino ads.
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