LITTLE ROCK, Ark. AP — The Arkansas Supreme Court unanimously dismissed part of a lawsuit that sought to invalidate a ballot measure aimed at revoking a casino license in Pope County.
The court ruled that the claims regarding violations in signature gathering were unfounded. However, a decision on the challenge concerning the wording of the ballot measure is still pending.
Cherokee Nation Entertainment, which received the casino license earlier this year, along with the Arkansas Canvassing Compliance Committee, filed the lawsuit against Local Voters in Charge, the organization supporting the measure.
A court-appointed special master reviewed the evidence and found that Local Voters in Charge met the necessary requirements for submitting paperwork about paid canvassers and did not violate rules against paying canvassers per signature.
Hans Stiritz, a spokesperson for Local Voters in Charge, expressed gratitude for the ruling, emphasizing the group’s message of local control over casino decisions. They are optimistic about the court’s upcoming ruling on the ballot language challenge.
The proposed amendment seeks to revoke the casino license that has faced legal hurdles since its approval as part of a 2018 constitutional amendment, which allowed for casinos in four designated areas. Casinos are already operational in three of those locations.
Allison Burum, representing the Arkansas Canvassing Compliance Committee, criticized the measure, asserting that it misleads voters and undermines their earlier decision to approve the fourth casino license.