Wasserman Casino Proposal Disqualified On Signature Requirement
by July 11, 2012 8:18 pm 212 views
Texas businessman Michael Wasserman's latest effort to qualify a casino amendment for Arkansas voters to consider has failed again.
On Wednesday (July 11), Secretary of State Mark Martin's office informed Wasserman that his proposed amendment was invalid.
The amendment sought to allow Arkansas Hotels and Entertainment, Inc., to own and operate seven casino gambling establishments, one each in Sebastian, Pulaski, Garland, Miller, Crittenden, Boone, and Jefferson counties.
Wasserman has made nearly a half-dozen previous attempts to qualify a casino measure for the Arkansas ballot.
M
artin said Wasserman “submitted an insufficient number of signatures, from fifteen separate counties, prior to the deadline.”
The Arkansas Constitution requires several thresholds to be met from signature gathering. Wasserman failed to secure enough minimum signatures from 15 different counties.
Martin ruled that Wasserman cannot go back and correct his petitions based on a prior Arkansas Supreme Court decision. Wasserman has 7 days to appeal the determination.
A separate casino proposal, led by professional poker player Nancy Todd, is still under review by the Secretary of State's office.