Arkansas Supreme Court rules in favor of ballot measure to block casino expansion
The measure would revoke a previously issued casino license if approved.
Key Points
- The suit also challenges the ballot measure’s wording
- The court has not yet ruled on the second part of the suit
The Arkansas Supreme Court recently rejected part of a lawsuit filed by Cherokee Nation Entertainment and the Arkansas Canvassing Compliance Committee, according to an Associated Press report.
The lawsuit pushed back against an effort by Local Voters in Charge to block casino expansion in Pope County through a petition which collected at least 116,200 valid signatures from registered voters.
It was unanimously determined that Local Voters in Charge did not violate a ban on paying canvassers per signature and dismissed the charge that the group did not submit proper paperwork regarding its paid canvassers.
The court has not reached a decision on the second part of the lawsuit, which challenges the ballot measure’s wording.
Local Voters in Charge told the Associated Press it was pleased with the ruling.
Group spokesperson Hans Stiritz said in a statement, “Issue 2’s message of local voter control – that communities should have the final say on a casino in their own hometown – is resonating across the state.
“We look forward to the court’s final decision on the ballot language challenge, with hope that the vote of the people will be counted on Issue 2 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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