Election Results: Some Voters Decide to Get Wet, Others Stay Dry

The Democrats wresting control of both the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate leads local, national and international newscasts. While I agree this is certainly important, a number of races around the country determined whether our fellow citizens will be able to legally enjoy an adult beverage in a responsible manner. The results are a mixed bag, with some communities going wet and others staying dry. Lyke2Drink has been tracking the results of ballot initiatives across the country and has been able to gather these results.

Alabama: In Arab voters decided to stay dry by a margin of 1,566 to 1,548. We are still trying to determine the results of the vote in Lee County on Sunday alcohol sales.

Alaska: Voters in the Village of Togiak turned down a proposal to make alcohol legal for the first time in 24 years.

Arkansas: By a count of 3,600 to 2,487 Marion County residents reversed a 60-year ban of alcohol sales. Marion is the first county in the state to go wet since 1978. A total of 41 of Arkansas' 72 counties are still dry.

Georgia: Voters in Grayson County passed two referendums for liquor by the drink — one for Monday to Saturday sales and the other for Sunday sales. A mixed drink law also was approved in Norcross. In Dalton, 54 percent of voters approved Sunday sales.

Illinois: We have not been able to learn how residents in Chenora voted in a non-binding advisory regarding Sunday alcohol sales in the community.

Kansas: Kechi and Park City residents approved Sunday sales of liquor and malt beverages, while Clearwater approved the sale of packaged liquor. Voters in Sterling kept the town's 134-year ban on alcohol by a 316 to 302 vote. In Russell County, voters approved Sunday sales by a 249 to 247 vote. In Harper County, liquor by the drink was approved by a 1,304 to 827 vote.

Massachusetts: Voters in the Bay State defeated a proposal to allow wine to be sold in grocery stores by a 57 percent to 43 percent margin. The ballot question broke a state record for campaign spending as more than $11 million was spent on advertising by both sides. Opponents put on a last minute blitz against the proposal after polls showed the measure might pass using a message that grocery sales would increase drunk driving and under age drinking.

Michigan: Zeeland voters approved alcohol sales by a vote of 1,425 to 1,385. Grandville voters approved Sunday beer and wine sales at restaurants by 4,324 to 2,894.

Mississippi: Pearl River County voters defeated a proposal to allow liquors sales by 7,279 to 6,132. You can buy beer in the county.

New York: Voters in the Town of Rose in Wayne County approved the sale of alcohol by a vote of 360 to 165. We have not learned the results of a similar proposal in Harmony in Chautauqua County.

Ohio: Voters in Precinct C in the Village of Bethel approved the sale alcohol, except for Sundays.

Oklahoma: Voters approved a proposal to allow liquor stores to remain open during voting hours on Election Day. Voters in Murray and McClain counties approved allowing bars and restaurants to sell alcoholic drinks, but voters in Garvin County rejected the issue. Statewide, 45 out of 77 counties have now passed liquor-by-the-drink legislation.

South Carolina: Residents of Rock Hill approved the selling alcohol on Sundays.

Tennessee: Dalton residents voted to allow Sunday sales of alcohol. Voters in Haywood and Hardeman counties approved liquor by the drink, while in Townsend a liquor by the drink proposal failed. The city of Alcoa voted to allow liquor sales within the city. Soddy Daisy approved lifting a ban on alcohol sales, while Collegedale turned down a similar proposal.

Texas: Odem, Coppell, Angelina and Richardson voters approved more open alcohol sales laws, while voters in Mathis, Irving, Cockrell Hill and Lancaster turned down sales liberation proposals. Glenn Heights voters said no to alcohol sales for off-premise consumption, but approved mixed beverages in restaurants.

Virginia: We have not discovered news on how Frederick County voters cast ballots regarding the sale of alcoholic beverages in the presently dry Tuscarora district.