Group appeals ballot rejection

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Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2002 | 11:12 a.m.

OMAHA, Neb. -- Supporters of a constitutional amendment to legalize video slot machines in Nebraska have filed a federal civil rights lawsuit in attempts to get the measure on the Nov. 5 ballot.

The lawsuit filed Monday asks for a suspension of the district court order that prevented the measure from appearing on the ballot and an order to Nebraska Secretary of State John Gale to include it.

U.S. District Judge Richard Kopf agreed to hear the case Wednesday.

The group that backed the petition initiative -- Nebraskans for Local Control -- is not heading the newest effort.

Instead, Crawford bar owner John Guethlein, Crawford City Council member Edwin Kuhnel and La Vista Mayor Harold Anderson have filed the lawsuit, which names Gale as the defendant.

By taking the issue off the ballot the state has violated their right to free speech and due process, said their attorney Diana Vogt.