Cherokee Nation Entertainment files suit in response to casino blocking ballot measure
The Tribal operator claims the signature collection process ‘violated several laws.’
Cherokee Nation Entertainment has filed a lawsuit in the state of Arkansas following a recent push to block casino expansion in Pope County, according to an Associated Press Report.
The Tribal company has asked the state Supreme Court to disqualify a ballot measure that would create a constitutional amendment to overturn a recently approved casino license.
After a lengthy series of failed attempts to bring a casino in the area, the Arkansas Racing Commission awarded Cherokee Nation Entertainment a license that would allow it to build a casino in Pope County and approved the decision by unanimous vote.
However, the group Local Voters in Charge submitted a proposal to block casino expansion in Arkansas and asked that the awarded license be repealed.
At least 116,200 valid signatures from registered voters were 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.
Cherokee Nation Entertainment has argued in its suit that several laws were violated during the campaign’s signature collection process.
Arkansas Canvassing Compliance Committee officer and Dover Mayor Roger Lee filed the paperwork against the casino blocking measure and shared his thoughts on the matter with the Associated Press.
He commented, “Arkansans must be made aware of this deliberate scheme to openly violate Arkansas laws regarding canvassing and to mislead and confuse voters.”
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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