Repeal of Texarkana ordinance easily stands after recount

TEXARKANA, Ark. (AP) — A recount shows that nearly 80 percent of voters supported a repeal of Texarkana's nondiscrimination ordinance.

The Miller County Election Commission held a recount Tuesday after discovering that early votes were double-counted for the June 28 special election. The outcome remains the same, with residents overwhelmingly supporting a repeal of the ordinance that prohibited the city from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

The Texarkana Gazette reports (http://bit.ly/29mxzIJ that the election commission plans to certify the results Thursday.

A state law that took effect last year bans cities and counties from prohibiting discrimination on any basis not covered by state law, but several municipalities passed antidiscrimination measures anyway. Arkansas' civil rights law doesn't include protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender people.

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Information from: Texarkana Gazette, http://www.texarkanagazette.com

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