POPE COUNTY, Ark (KATV) — The tug of war continues over Issue two and the fate of the Pope County Casino days into early voting for the 2024 General Election.

Wednesday, local government officials joined with Cherokee Nation Entertainment to speak to the community asking them to vote no on Issue two.

ARKANSANS TO DECIDE FATE OF POPE COUNTY CASINO; AR SUPREME COURT ALLOWS ISSUE 2 ON BALLOT

Pope County Judge Ben Cross defending the casino project, calling it the biggest investment in the area since the 1970’s and one that will bring vital economic growth.

“This is a stimulus package for pope county that will not be afforded to us again,” said Cross. “We are letting our concerted effort known that we are against Issue two because it is going to stifle development. It is going to tell businesses looking to come here that if a billionaire outside of the state wants to block your competition, they can use the state constitution to do it.”

Local voters in charge, backed by the Choctaw Nation and the sponsor of Issue two said voting for the measure will simply bring the choice back to the local voters.

They said 60% of Pope County voted against the initial amendment in 2018.

“The impact is going to be so huge on an individual community,” said Hans Stiritz, spokesperson for Local Voters in Charge. “That decision should be with the voters in that community. That is what Issue two is all about. The right of the citizens of individual communities to determine what happens in their own community.”

Cross said the 2018 vote does not represent the community’s feelings about a casino today, saying Cherokee Nation received the support of the Pope County Quorum Court to move forward.

“You keep hearing that 60% of pope county voted against this in 2018,” said Cross. “The supporters of Issue two would have you believe that that 60% represented totality. What it truly represents is 60% of the 52% that voted in 2018. That is flawed 6 year old data.”

Stiritz said ultimately it should be up to the people.

ARKANSAS SUPREME COURT REJECTS CHALLENGES TO ISSUE 2, APPROVES IT FOR BALLOT

“What does this ballot issue actually say?” said Stiritz. “It respects the vote of pope county voters and guarantees that local voters vote for any community in arkansas going forward. I think those are very important things to vote for.”

If the issue passes there will be no Pope County casino and the fourth gaming license in the state will no longer be available for anyone to utilize in Arkansas.

If it does not pass, the casino goes in as planned.

For a fourth casino license to be issued for the state, Arkansas will have to vote on another amendment to bring it back.