The Arkansas Supreme Court on Monday dismissed part of a lawsuit challenging a ballot measure aimed at revoking a casino license in Pope County, a contentious issue that has divided communities and drawn millions of dollars in campaign spending.
The court unanimously rejected claims that the ballot initiative violated state laws on signature gathering, including allegations that the group behind the measure failed to submit required paperwork and paid canvassers per signature. However, the court has yet to rule on a second challenge related to the wording of the ballot measure.
The lawsuit was brought by Cherokee Nation Entertainment, which was awarded the Pope County casino license, and the Arkansas Canvassing Compliance Committee. They argue that the ballot measure, dubbed “Issue 2,” undermines the will of voters who approved four casino sites in the state under a 2018 constitutional amendment.
While the ruling is a setback for opponents, a final decision on whether the measure will appear on the November ballot remains pending.
“We still await the Court’s decision on the ballot title challenge,” said Allison Burum, a spokesperson for the Arkansas Canvassing Compliance Committee. “Issue 2 is misleading, and its sole purpose is to undo the will of Arkansas voters by eliminating the fourth casino license they approved in 2018.”
Local Voters in Charge, the group behind Issue 2, welcomed the court’s decision and defended the measure, saying it promotes local control over casino developments.
“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,” said Hans Stiritz, a spokesperson for the group.
The proposed amendment would revoke the Pope County casino license, which has been embroiled in legal disputes for years, even as casinos have been established in the other three approved locations.
The battle has drawn millions in campaign funding. The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma has donated $5.6 million to Local Voters in Charge, while Cherokee Nation Businesses has contributed $2.8 million to Investing in Arkansas, a group opposing the measure.
As the November vote approaches, the future of the Pope County casino remains uncertain, with both sides awaiting further court decisions.
Original article: https://www.yogonet.com/international/noticias/2024/10/15/81988-arkansas-supreme-court-rejects-challenge-to-casino-license-ballot-measure
