Sunday sales vote on tap for Commerce

Concurrent with the general election, Commerce voters will decide whether to allow the Sunday sales of beer and wine by the package and the Sunday sale of and beer, wine and distilled spirits by the drink in restaurants.

Voting will take place by paper ballot at the Public Safety Complex on South Elm Street. Early voting will continue through Friday at City Hall.

On Tuesday, Commerce voters who go to the North Minish precinct at the Commerce Recreation Department office on Carson Street to vote in the general election will have to drive to the Public Safety Complex to vote in the Commerce referendum. There, they will enter one of the fire bays — not the South Minish precinct — and vote on paper ballots. Commerce residents going to the South Minish precinct at the Public Safety Complex to vote in the general election will also have to enter one of the fire bays next door to vote in the Sunday sales referendum.

Proponents of the measure argue that Sunday sales are necessary if Commerce is to compete for future new restaurants, convenience stores and grocery stores that sell alcohol. Jackson County has already approved Sunday sales for both package and by-the-drink. Banks County will vote on Tuesday on allowing the Sunday sales of beer, wine and distilled spirits by the drink.