Published on: October 18, 2024, 08:15 AM

Last updated on: October 18, 2024, 09:03 AM

The Arkansas casino referendum seeking to repeal a gaming license awarded to the Cherokee Nation in Pope County will proceed to the ballot after the state Supreme Court dismissed a lawsuit challenging its validity.

The Arkansas Supreme Court upheld the sufficiency of Issue 2’s name and ballot title, dismissing claims that they were inadequate and misleading. The lawsuit against Issue 2 was initiated by the Arkansas Canvassing Compliance Committee, funded by Cherokee Nation Entertainment.

In a 6-1 ruling, the state’s highest court deemed the wording of Issue 2 satisfactory.

Associate Justice Karen Baker stated on behalf of the majority, “We hold that the popular name and ballot title are an intelligible, honest, and impartial means of presenting the Proposed Amendment to the people for their consideration.”

Associate Justice Shawn Womack dissented, arguing that Issue 2 is “plainly misleading” as it fails to clarify that it would revoke Pope County’s existing gaming license.

Earlier in the week, the state Supreme Court rejected another claim by the Arkansas Canvassing Compliance Committee regarding the collection of voter signatures for placing Issue 2 on the 2024 ballot.

Issue at Hand

Issue 2 will propose a restructuring of how gaming licenses are issued by the Arkansas Racing Commission.

In 2018, a statewide referendum authorized four commercial casinos, but Pope County residents opposed the initiative. Issue 2 would mandate only granting gaming concessions to designated host cities with local referendum support. If approved, Cherokee Nation’s license for Legends Resort & Casino in Russellville would be revoked.

Campaign Spending

The Cherokees and Choctaw Nation are heavily investing in campaigns to sway voters on Issue 2, with conflicting interests in the outcome of the referendum.