Opinion ID: 6109821
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Sufficiency of the Popular Name

Text: Petitioner argues that the popular name is insufficient in two respects. First, petitioner argues that the ballot title is misleading because the proposed amendment's popular name calls for casino licenses to be issued and the ballot title and proposed amendment itself require licensees to conduct casino gambling. Additionally, petitioner argues that the popular name does not inform voters that local citizens will lose control of local alcohol sales or that sports wagering is included in the amendment. The popular name is a useful legislative device that need not contain the same detailed information or include exceptions that might be required of a ballot title. Parker v. Priest , 326 Ark. 123 , 129, 930 S.W.2d 322 , 325 (1996). Additionally, the popular name is to be considered with the ballot title in determining its sufficiency.  May v. Daniels , 359 Ark. 100 , 194 S.W.3d 771 (2004). The popular name must only reflect a measure in a way that is concise enough, and clear enough, for the voters to refer to and identify it easily. Gaines v. McCuen , 296 Ark. 513 , 517, 758 S.W.2d 403 , 405 (1988). However, a popular name must not contain catch phrases or slogans that tend to mislead or give partisan coloring to a proposal. May, supra .
Petitioner's first challenge to the proposed amendment's popular name is characterized as a challenge to the ballot title. Petitioner argues that the popular name only requires licenses to be issued, while the ballot title and the proposed amendment require licensees to conduct casino gaming. Although petitioner argues that the ballot title is misleading because the popular name conflicts with the ballot title and the proposed amendment, we disagree. In reality, petitioner's argument is that the popular name is insufficiently detailed. Both the ballot title and the proposed amendment require the issuance of licenses. The fact that the ballot title and the text of the proposed amendment provide more detailed information about the requirement that licensees conduct casino gaming does not amount to a conflict with the popular name or mean that the popular name is misleading. See Parker, supra.
Petitioner also argues that the popular name does not inform voters that local citizens will lose control of local alcohol sales or that sports wagering is included in the amendment. Although the proposed amendment's effect on alcohol sales and sports wagering is not included in the popular name, it is included in the ballot title. As previously mentioned, the popular name need not be as detailed as a ballot title. Parker, supra. Additionally, we must consider the ballot title with the popular name to determine the popular name's sufficiency. May, supra . We believe that the popular name, when read together with the ballot title, is sufficient. Nothing about the popular name is misleading, and we believe it offers voters a clear and concise way to identify the measure to be considered.