Slots Supporters, Opponents Make Closing Arguments

"Things are going well," Kearney said. "We're expecting a good result on Tuesday, but we'll be working straight through."

Kearney said that representatives of several groups supportive of the ballot measure, including business leaders and police officers, were continuing to make sure their members understood the benefits of slots for the state budget.

In a brief interview, Franchot said he was feeling "outspent but cautiously optimistic" about Tuesday's vote.

Smith, of Marylanders United, said, "The question is whether there are enough good people who will defeat a bad policy proposal."

Former governor Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. (R) was among those who continued to speak out against the ballot measure yesterday. A staunch slots supporter during his four-year tenure, he urged a "No" vote during his weekly radio show, arguing that the legislature could craft a better plan when it reconvenes in January.

"Kill this turkey in November, and pass another bill in January," the former governor told listeners of WBAL (1090 AM) in Baltimore.

Staff writer Miranda S. Spivack contributed to this report.