A Russellville group on Tuesday filed the second challenge in as many days to a general election ballot proposal that would authorize four casinos in Arkansas.
The Citizens for Local Choice ballot committee filed a lawsuit asking the state Supreme Court to strike from the ballot the proposed constitutional amendment authorizing the state to issue licenses for four casinos, including expanded gambling at Oaklawn Racing and Gaming in Hot Springs and Southland Gaming and Racing in West Memphis.
Representing the committee and its president Jim Knight of Russellville, attorney Chris Burks of Little Rock filed the lawsuit against Republican Secretary of State Mark Martin.
The committee’s lawsuit contends the proposed constitutional amendment’s ballot title omits information needed for a fair understanding of the scope and impact of the ballot proposal.
Among other things, the lawsuit charges that voters are not informed in the ballot title that the measure grants a perpetual monopoly to private corporations that locals have no control over.
The lawsuit maintains that voters are misled by the ballot title into believing local elected officials can approve or disapprove casinos in their respective communities and whether locals lose oversight of unlimited free alcohol.
A separate committee, Ensuring Arkansas’ Future, on Monday asked the Supreme Court to strike the proposal from the Nov. 6 general election ballot.
Read Wednesday's Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.