Absentee voting has begun in Marshall County for the upcoming local option election to allow alcohol sales. This is the county's second attempt in three years to end prohibition.
Kentucky Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau executive director Randy Newcomb says his board supported going wet in 2012 and wants to see visitors' dollars stay within Marshall County.
“They’re driving to Murray now. They’re driving to Paducah. They’re driving to Cadiz to go out to eat, to buy alcohol, and then a lot of it, they’re bringing back to Marshall County," Newcomb said. "So it’s just an added amenity that we could offer to our visitors.”
Newcomb said alcohol sales will bolster lake tourism and bring new restaurants into the county.
“It will also enable some of our existing restaurants the ability to expand and expand their business,” Newcomb said.
The "Say No Now" initiative led the Marshall County dry vote in 2012. Their mission statement is as follows:
"It is our mission to protect Marshall County families from the ills which are more prevalent in locales that have commercial outlets for the sale and public consumption of alcohol and thus, to preserve Marshall County as a happy, healthy and safe place to live, work ,raise families and retire."
Absentee ballots can be submitted at the County Clerk's office until July 27. So far, 73 have voted. The election will be held on Tuesday, July 28.
