Arkansas: Voters push back against casino expansion via ballot proposal
The initiative would repeal a recent license granted to Cherokee Nation Entertainment.
A large group of concerned voters, along with Local Voters in Charge, have submitted a proposal to block casino expansion in Arkansas, according to a recent Associated Press report.
At least 116,200 valid signatures from registered voters have been collected in support of putting this matter on the November ballot, Secretary of State John Thurston’s office verified to the AP. At this point, the number of signatures has exceeded the figure needed to qualify.
This initiative follows shortly behind the Arkansas Racing Commission’s decision to award the Cherokee Nation Entertainment a license that would allow it to build a casino in Pope County.
The Commission’s panel approved the license award via unanimous vote. Local Voters in Charge’s ballot proposal seeks to create a constitutional amendment that would overturn the license approval.
Group spokesman Hans Stiritz shared his thoughts with the Associated Press and explained why the group has pushed back against a Pope County casino.
He commented in a statement, “In record numbers, Arkansas voters have stated the obvious – casinos should not be forced into communities that do not want them.
“Our state’s motto ‘Regnat Populus’ – ‘The People Rule’ – is a promise we can fulfill by supporting Local Voter Control of Casino Gambling in November.”
Cherokee Nation Entertainment has worked for the last several years to build a casino in Pope County but has faced resistance and a series of legal setbacks in the process.
Last fall, the Arkansas Supreme Court denied the Cherokee Nation’s casino bid for its Legends Resort and Casino. The court ruled against the Tribe in a 5 to 2 decision.
The Cherokee Nation’s bid involved building a $225m casino on its property in Russellville, Arkansas, which the Nation purchased for $35m.
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