Players from the US and Canada rejected a move to amend their list of allowable words - Official Tournament and Club Word List by adding those words only currently used in the UK (thus creating a dictionary known colloquially as SOWPODS). The effect of the change would have been to enlarge their dictionary to over 140,000 words, an increase of around 28%.

A vote of 60% was required if the change in dictionary was to be accepted. The decision of the referendum will be binding for 5 years.

The figures below take account of all member votes received by Wednesday, July 18, 2000. The National Scrabble Association projects that the results below should be reasonably close to the final tally.

Number of Votes

The final official tally will be available on the National Scrabble Association website on Monday, July 31st.

John D, Williams Jr., Executive Director, National Scrabble Association commented:

"Wherever you stand on this issue, you'd have to agree that this has been for better or worse a historic event for the NSA. The NSA and NSA Advisory Board have tried to handle this issue in the most responsive, democratic way possible.

Anti-SOWPODS forces felt this vote was very premature, not to mention representative of a minority, elitist point of view. Pro-SOWPODS forces felt that the combined word list was long overdue as it represents the wave of the future. They also felt that, given the chance, everyone would find playing the game even more exciting with SOWPODS.

It's time to put aside the acrimonious discussions, finger-pointing and name-calling. Anti-SOWPODS people may want to try some games using the expanded word list and see how they feel about it. Pro-SOWPODS people may want to remember that most NSA members don't want another 40,000 words they don't know, even though it would undoubtedly expand their firepower.

The reality is that for now most NSA members don't have the time, patience, interest or incentive to learn the international words. If SOWPODS is meant to be, it will happen over time as most expansive and permanent change does. Perhaps when the School Scrabble Program is feeding hundreds of players into the NSA, attitudes will be different. After all, these will be kids who've studied word lists since the fifth grade, who will have grown up in a global culture. Who knows?

Personally, I know the NSA is prepared to act however things turn out. Mostly, we remain committed to the wishes of the majority our members."