Arkansas group asks High Court to approve ballot

A group seeking a gambling expansion in the state asked the state Supreme Court to approve a ballot.

US.- The group Driving Arkansas Forward filed a petition last week with the state’s Supreme Court to force Attorney General Leslie Rutledge to approve and certify the ballot title that would allow a public vote on expanded gambling.

The group wants to introduce another proposal on the November ballot that would legalise gambling in Jefferson and Pope counties, while also allowing casinos at the Oaklawn horse track in Hot Springs and at the Southland greyhound track in West Memphis.

A few days later, the Attorney General asked the state’s high court to reject the effort to force her to approve the wording of the proposed bill. Rutledge believes that she has properly rejected the proposal’s wording.

Rutledge has rejected the name of the ballot four times this year, as she said she’s upholding her duty to ensure that voters fully understand the issue presented on the ballot. Earlier this week, she said: “It is my opinion, based on the guidelines established by the state Supreme Court, that some additions or changes to your ballot title (and possibly your popular name) are necessary so that the ballot title more fully and correctly summarises your proposal,” the attorney general wrote.

“When read together, your proposed popular name and ballot title indicate or very strongly imply that if this constitutional amendment is approved, there will be a casino at or adjacent to the existing facilities of Southland Racing Corporation (…) and Oaklawn Jockey Club, Inc.,” she added and asserted: “These statements or impressions may be misleading.”