Gambling Expansion in Maryland Now Faces Lawsuit Ahead of Election

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — (Associated Press) - Opponents of expanding gambling in Maryland have filed a lawsuit saying a majority of registered voters in the state would need to approve the proposal, not just a majority of people who vote on the ballot question.

Thomas Dernoga, an attorney representing eight plaintiffs who oppose a casino in Prince George’s County, filed the lawsuit in Annapolis on Friday.

Dernoga says the plaintiffs want the courts to review the threshold required for approval of the ballot question.

He says the state’s constitution states expansion requires a majority of the qualified voters in the state. But Dernoga says the measure passed in an August special session has wrongly redefined that threshold to mean simply a majority of people voting on the question.