LITTLE ROCK-A Little Rock judge has been appointed to fill in for the Arkansas Supreme Court chief justice in a pair of challenges to a ballot measure that would legalize four casinos in the state.
Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson on Wednesday appointed Little Rock District Court Judge Hugh Finkelstein as a special justice for the two lawsuits challenging the proposed constitutional amendment on the November ballot. Chief Justice Dan Kemp has recused from each of the ballot measure challenges.
The proposed amendment would legalize casinos at a Hot Springs horse track and a West Memphis dog track that already offer electronic gambling. It would also legalize casinos in Pope and Jefferson counties. The lawsuits are trying to get the proposal disqualified from the ballot.