Nearly 6,000 signatures gathered in support of an anti-casino proposal in a small town in Arkansas could potentially be disqualified due to alleged irregularities in the petition process.
The proposal, which aims to block the construction of a new casino in the area, garnered widespread support from local residents who have concerns about the potential impact of the gambling establishment on the community.
However, according to reports from local news outlet KVOM, the signatures on the petition may be invalidated after it was discovered that some of the signatures were collected by individuals who were not registered voters in the town.
“We are currently reviewing the petition and verifying the signatures to ensure that only qualified voters have signed in support of the proposal,” said a spokesperson for the county clerk’s office.
If the signatures are indeed found to be invalid, it could have serious implications for the anti-casino group’s efforts to block the construction of the new gambling establishment.
The casino proposal has been a source of contention in the town for months, with supporters arguing that the casino will bring much-needed revenue and jobs to the area, while opponents fear that it will lead to increased crime and other negative impacts on the community.
In response to the potential disqualification of the signatures, the anti-casino group has vowed to continue their fight against the construction of the casino, stating that they will gather additional signatures if necessary.
“We are prepared to do whatever it takes to stop the casino from being built in our town,” said a spokesperson for the group. “We will not back down in our efforts to protect our community.”
As the controversy surrounding the anti-casino proposal continues to unfold, residents in the town are anxiously awaiting the outcome of the signature verification process to see if their voices will be heard in the fight against the construction of the new casino.