The Arkansas Supreme Court on Monday rejected an effort to disqualify signatures submitted in support of an initiative aimed at revising the casino amendment to the state Constitution but held off on ruling on whether the popular name and ballot title for the proposal are sufficient.
A majority of the seven member court disagreed with Cherokee Nation Entertainment, which holds the license for a casino in Pope County, and the Arkansas Canvassing Compliance Committee that signatures should be invalidated due to canvassers having been paid per signature and because canvassing managers did not qualify as “an officer, member, or employee of the sponsor.”
The second count brought by the lawsuit, alleging that the popular name and ballot title are insufficient, will be decided separately.
The proposed casino amendment would repeal the Arkansas Racing Commission’s authority to issue a casino license in Pope County and revoke any casino license issued for Pope County before Nov. 13, 2024.
The amendment also would require future casino licenses to be approved by voters in a special countywide election.