The petition calling for an election on legalizing alcohol sales in Donley County met the threshold for the number of signatures needed to place the issue on the November ballot.
A total of 544 legal signatures were verified on the petition, Tax Assessor-Collector Linda Crump said Tuesday. Petitioners needed 413 signatures to call an election on the question.
County Clerk Fay Vargas says the petition will now sit in her office for 30 days and will go on the Commissioners’ Court’s August 12 agenda to call the election on November 5.
Petition organizer Jack Craft was pleased Crump’s verification and said a total of 596 signatures had been submitted to her office.
“I want to thank the people of Donley County for their support of this petition,” Craft said.
The petition as presented requests an election be held countywide to allow the sale of all alcoholic beverages including mixed drinks.
Petition supporters have cited economic reasons for wanting to legalize alcohol, including increased sales, tax revenues, and out-of-town sponsorships for local events.
Opponents of legalization say easier availability of alcohol will lead to increases in crime, underage drinking, and other social costs.
Currently, petitioners are also busy in Hemphill County where organizers are seeking to legalize the sale of alcohol and mixed beverages in the City of Canadian. Alcohol sales began this month in Perryton after Ochiltree County voters approved legalizing package sales in May. Voters in Armstrong County also approved package sales last month. Silverton, Childress, and Shamrock have all also been voted wet in the last few years.
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