Michigan voters approved a measure to require voter approval for new forms of gambling on Tuesday.

With 35 percent of Michigan counties reporting, support for Proposal 1 had 59 percent of the vote.

About 1,252,403 "yes" votes had been counted while about 872,365 "no" votes had been tallied at midnight.

Opponents of the measure conceded defeat.

"What it shows is that $20 million can buy a spot on the constitution," said Kelly Rossman-McKinney, spokeswoman for Michigan's Vote No on Proposal 1 campaign. "We'll all have to work together now to fight against the damage this proposal may do."

But those in favor of the proposed state constitutional amendment are in celebration.

"This is a very significant day for Michigan voters," said Roger Martin, spokesman for the group Let Voters Decide - YES on 1. "The people decided to keep the power to decide the future of voting to themselves and not to the politicians."

Proposal 1 will require that Michigan voters approve the creation or modification of any forms of gambling. Casinos run by Indian tribes and the Detroit casinos will not be affected.

Although the new legislation will grant Michigan voters increased impact on the future of gambling at a local level, some say it will jeopardize essential funding for public education.

"The governor opposes the proposal because of the negative impact it will have on the state's School Aid Fund," said Liz Boyd, spokeswoman for Gov. Jennifer Granholm, adding that the lottery generated $644.5 million for public education in 2004's fiscal year.

"The proposal will disallow the Michigan Lottery to bring on new games to continue generating revenue and would be devastating to the lottery's ability to finance education."

Residents from about 1,700 municipalities throughout Michigan will now need to vote on all gambling expansions. According to Michigan Lottery spokeswoman Andi Brancato, the repercussions of this new method could prevent the lottery from being able to keep pace with player interest and technological innovations in gambling.

But Martin believes the proposal increases individual rights.

"We believe that it's only fair that people in communities are allowed to make the decisions that directly affect them," Martin said. "The effect it will have on the lottery has been greatly exaggerated."

Martin added the proposal will not take one penny from Michigan schools.

"If people would just read the proposal with open eyes, they would see that not a single existing lottery game is affected," he said.