LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - Arkansas election officials have asked the state Supreme Court to extend the deadline for certifying a proposed casino legalization amendment while justices consider a lawsuit.
The secretary of state's office on Friday asked justices to extend the Thursday deadline to certify the proposed amendment by Texas businessman Michael Wasserman until at least Sept. 7. Justices are scheduled to hear oral arguments Sept. 6 in Wasserman's lawsuit challenging the state's decision to deny his petitions for the proposed amendment.
Wasserman has argued that the state should have given him more time to gather additional signatures. Wasserman's proposal would give him exclusive rights to operate casinos in seven counties. Professional poker player Nancy Todd has proposed a competing measure that would give her exclusive rights to operate casinos in four counties.
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