Voters went out in the rain Tuesday to narrowly defeat a racino in Washington County, defying polls that said residents would support a gambling parlor as long as it wasn't in their backyard.

The vote statewide was 52 percent against and 48 percent in favor with 86 percent of the precincts reporting. Voters also approved all three bond questions on the ballot - although two were very close -- and resoundingly defeated an extension of term limits.

Dennis Bailey of Casinos No! predicted all along the vote on the racino would be a lot closer than people believed and hopes now the anti-gambling message is clear.

"It's a huge message that Maine people don't want more slot machines in Maine. Enough is enough," he said. "I hope it's a signal to get the other proposals off the table and let's work for some real economic development."

That may not be realistic. Even as voters were defeating the Passamaquoddy Tribe's proposed racino in Washington County, petitioners were at the polls collecting signatures for a casino in Oxford County.

But Bailey said Tuesday's vote could help turn the tide.

"The people in Washington Country are going to feel really bad, angry and bitter," he said, but, "We believe this is the best thing for the state and the best thing for Washington County."

Supporters of the racino conceded shortly after midnight.

"There's an enormous sense of disappointment in Washington County," said Sen. Kevin Raye, who was a strong supporter of the racino as a way to bring jobs and economic development to the poorest region in the state.

"Clearly when I left the Passamaquoddy leaders tonight I sensed their profound disappointment and sadness, but they will continue to persevere. If there's one thing we have a healthy supply of in Washington County it's perseverance," Raye said.

Raye, a Republican in his second term in the Senate, said the good thing that came out of the campaign is that it brought his county together.

"I'm so proud of Washington County. People stood shoulder-to-shoulder with their Passamaquoddy neighbors and on that score this was a good thing for our county," he said.

In Washington County the vote was 70 percent in favor and 30 percent against.

Some counties were closely split on the racino, but others voted against the proposal by wide margins.

Knox County produced a no vote of 61 percent; Aroostook had 60 percent against, and in Lincoln County 57 percent voted no. The vote was closer in Hancock, Sagadahoc and Waldo, which all split around 52 percent against and 48 percent in favor. In southern Maine, York County voted 55 percent against and 45 percent in favor and Cumberland County voted 54 percent against and 46 percent in favor.

The rest of the ballot was more predictable, although votes were closer than expected for some of the bond questions.

Ultimately three bonds totaling $134 million passed and voters loudly said no to a proposal that would allow legislators to spend more time in office by extending term limits.

The vote on whether to extend term limits from four to six consecutive terms in either the House or the Senate, went down by 67 to 33 percent.

On the bonds, Question 2, which dedicates $55 million to research, development and product creation to stimulate new business in the state was passed 51 to 49 percent.

Question 3, giving $43.5 million for capital improvements in the University of Maine System, at Community Colleges, Maine Maritime Academy, and cultural and educational facilities in cities and towns, also passed with a 51 to 49 percent margin.

Question 4, investing $35.5 million in land conservation and water access through the Land for Maine's Future program and improving state parks, was the most popular item on the ballot, with 63 percent in favor and 37 percent against