LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The Arkansas Supreme Court delivered a ruling on Monday, dismissing a portion of a legal challenge against a proposed ballot initiative aimed at revoking the casino license in Pope County.

The justices unanimously determined that claims questioning the legality of the measure, particularly those related to signature collection practices, lacked merit. However, the court still needs to address another aspect of the lawsuit that disputes the precise wording of the ballot measure.

Cherokee Nation Entertainment, which received the license to establish the casino earlier this year, filed the lawsuit along with the Arkansas Canvassing Compliance Committee, an affiliated organization.

A special master, appointed by the court to examine the evidence, found that the allegations against Local Voters In Charge, the organization advocating for the ballot measure, were unfounded. The challenge claimed that the group had failed to file necessary documentation regarding its paid canvassers and alleged violations of regulations concerning payment per signature.
Local Voters In Charge expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision.

“The message of Issue 2 emphasizes local voter authority — that the residents should determine the future of a casino in their communities,” said Hans Stiritz, a spokesperson for the group. “We are eager for the court’s forthcoming ruling concerning the language of the ballot, with the hope that the people’s voices will be heard in November regarding Issue 2.”
Campaign ads related to the casino initiative have flooded the media in Arkansas. The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma has contributed $5.6 million to support Local Voters In Charge, while Cherokee Nation Businesses has provided $2.8 million to an opposing group called Investing in Arkansas.

The proposed amendment seeks to nullify the casino license awarded for the Pope County casino, a project that has faced ongoing legal disputes for several years. Pope County was included in a list of four designated sites permitted to develop casinos following a constitutional amendment passed by voters in 2018. The remaining three locations have successfully established their casinos.

“Although this decision is disheartening, we continue to await the court’s ruling regarding the ballot title challenge,” stated Allison Burum, a spokesperson for the Arkansas Canvassing Compliance Committee. “Issue 2 is misleading, and its primary objective is to overturn the decision made by Arkansas voters by eliminating the fourth casino license approved in 2018.”