ASHLAND — Voters in four Ashland County precincts will decide the fate of four liquor options related to Sunday sales on Election Day, according to the board of elections.
State law requires businesses to obtain a D-6 permit to sell intoxicating liquor on Sundays. That includes wine, spirits and prepackaged cocktails. These permits require approval from local voters.
Businesses generally must gather 50 valid signatures from voters in their precinct before the issue can head to the ballot.
The four Ashland County establishments below are seeking the right to sell alcohol on Sundays:
- Park Market, at 823 W. Main St., seeks the right to sell beer, wine and mixed beverages on Sundays. The issue will be voted on by residents in Ashland’s 2C zone, which refers to an area south of Sandusky Street, west of Parkside and north of West Main Street. In-person voting occurs at the Mozelle Hall building on the Ashland County Fairgrounds.
- Loudonville Marathon, at 236 N. Union St., seeks the right to sell wine, mixed beverages and spiritous liquor on Sundays. The issue will be voted on by residents in Loudonville’s Village One zone, which refers to an area north of Washington Street and east of Market Street. In-person voting occurs at the American Legion, 131 S. Water St.
- Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 2275, at 140 W. Main St., seeks the right to sell wine, mixed beverages and spiritous liquor on Sundays. The issue will be voted on by residents in Loudonville’s Village Two zone, which refers to an area south of Washington Street and west of Market Street. In-person voting occurs at the American Legion, 131 S. Water St.
- VFW Post 8586, at 2802 County Road 917 in Perrysville, seeks the right to sell wine, mixed beverages and spiritous liquor on Sundays. The issue will be voted on by residents in Green Township’s “one” zone, which refers to an area in the northwestern voting precinct near McKay and includes Perrysville. In-person voting occurs at the American Legion, 131 S. Water St.
Did you know?
Some legislators introduced a bill in July that, if passed, would allow local city and village councils and township trustees to pass laws permitting the sale of liquor on Sundays in those jurisdictions. Essentially, it is a way to bypass the need for ballot initiatives, however, the bill would still allow places to conduct elections if they choose.
The bill, known as House Bill 387, is currently pending in the House Agriculture Committee.
The bill follows an effort from Gov. Mike DeWine to make it easier for businesses to get Sunday liquor sale issues on the ballot.
In 2022, the governor signed a bill that lowered the threshold of signatures from 35% of the number of votes cast for governor in the prior election to a flat number of 50 signatures.
In the meantime, the above four establishments will wait to know the results of their ballot initiatives.