Wet Question Passing

Patric Brosh, from left, Marshall Ney and Jay Allen, all with Keep Dollars in Benton County, sit around the bar at Table Mesa Bistro in Bentonville on Tuesday while watching voting results. The Keep Dollars in Benton County group helped get the issue on the ballot to legalize retail alcohol sales in Benton County.

Patric Brosh, from left, Marshall Ney and Jay Allen, all with Keep Dollars in Benton County, sit around the bar at Table Mesa Bistro in Bentonville on Tuesday while watching voting results. The Keep Dollars in Benton County group helped get the issue on the ballot to legalize retail alcohol sales in Benton County.

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Benton County voters spoke up clearly Tuesday in support of allowing retail alcohol sales after more than 60 years of failed ‘wet-up’ efforts.

With partial early results in, 33,888 voters supported alcohol sales while 17,386 voters were against. The Election Commission had only released a portion of the early votes by 11 p.m., but that portion represented 45 percent of the county’s registered voters. More than 51,872 county voters turned out early to cast their ballots.

Latest results

Visit NWA Vote for the latest election results.

Keep Dollars in Benton County led the nine-month effort to place alcohol sales on the ballot for the first time since 1944. The group was backed financially by Walmart heirs and brothers Steuart and Tom Walton. The two donated a combined $549,000 to the effort through the end of September, according to documents filed with the state Ethics Commission.

“My brother Tom and I are very pleased with the election result on the wet-dry initiative, and the fact that Benton County voters had an opportunity to be heard on this issue,” Steuart Walton said. “We do feel strongly that this outcome represents a significant economic opportunity for Benton County and our individual cities, so we are likewise pleased that all the tax revenues and potential new jobs involved here will now be staying in the county.”

Marshall Ney, spokesman for Keep Dollars in Benton County, said the group encouraged supporters to vote early.

“We’re not surprised by the great showing of support,” Ney said. “We’re pleased that we finally have reached the point where the voters have had the opportunity to be heard and made the choice that we believe is in the best interest of Benton County.”

Supporters gathered 43,307 signatures validated by the Benton County Clerk’s Office to get alcohol sales on the ballot. The effort required getting signatures from at least 38 percent of the county’s registered voters, which the group obtained with the help for signature gathering firm National Ballot Access.

Miguel Alvares of Bentonville voted for the ballot initiative at First Presbyterian Church on Tuesday. He said there are many good reasons to support allowing alcohol sales in the county.

“There are so many liquor stores nearby already,” Alvares said. “It doesn’t make much sense not to have them here and get the taxes.”

Citizens United to Preserve Benton County formed in September to oppose the wet-up effort, garnering small donations from Benton County residents and churches. The group had raised $1,265 by Oct. 27, taking out newspaper and radio ads against the measure.

Jade Edster voted against the measure with her husband. She said she felt liquor stores in Benton County would make it easier for high school students to get alcohol. Her husband said he was worried about increased crime rates.

“It’s not that far to go to get alcohol as it is,” Jade Edster said.

The Alcohol Beverage Control Division will issue up to 55 permits for liquor stores in the county, according to Michael Langley, division director. Convenience and grocery stores could also apply for a permit to sell beer and wine and wouldn’t count toward the 55-permit cap.

Once wet, residents have the option after two years to create dry pockets within the county by township or municipality. Petitioners would have to meet the same 38 percent signature threshold to place a dry vote on the ballot.