'We assume Fair Play will petition the Supreme Court to review this decision and we will intervene to assist the Attorney General's office in defending it,' McDaniel added, as reported by Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.Īccording to Act 376 of 2019, the responsibility for certifying a proposed ballot measure's popular name and ballot shifted from the attorney general to the state Board of Election Commissioners.Ĭertification of a proposed ballot measure's popular name and ballot title is one of the two requirements under state law for a ballot proposal to get on the general election ballot. However, a spokesman for the Fair Play Arkansas 2022 committee that proposed the constitutional amendment - backed by Oklahoma-based Choctaws- said the group is disappointed with the board's decision and will review its options. The commissioners said the Choctaw Tribe-funded ballot title lacked a reference to the existing license held by Cherokee Nation Businesses for the casino site.ĭustin McDaniel, the legal counsel for Cherokee Nation Businesses, said the casino operator agrees with the election commissioners' decision and appreciates their 'thoughtful and diligent service'. The decision was taken on Wednesday through a vote. The Arkansas Board of Election Commissioners will not certify the ballot title for a proposed constitutional amendment intended to remove Pope County as a state-license casino site.

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