It passed with more than 70% of the vote.
Voters in Marshall County will choose whether to keep Marshall County dry or vote to allow alcohol sales countywide.
On Tuesday, Marshall County voters made several big decisions, including one about alcohol sales.
Amendment One, which appeared on the ballot, allowed voters to decide whether to keep Marshall County dry or permit alcohol sales countywide.
The results showed that 73 percent of Marshall County voters supported allowing alcohol sales countywide.
In the lead-up to the election, there were many opinions on how this local amendment could impact people and businesses across Marshall County.
State Rep. Brock Colvin, who sponsored the referendum, said it’s time for Marshall County to enter the 21st century.
“You know, in my generation, those in their 20s and 30s probably still think—I hear them tell me they think it's silly that there's still dry counties, so I think this would satisfy that group of voters as well that think that law may be a little outdated," said Colvin.
For others, like Mickey Byrd, who has been in the alcohol business for 50 years, this decision could have a big impact on his business.
Owner of Mickey’s Spirits and Wine, Byrd, said, “The business that we are in now, that we're receiving, is like a pie, and if you expand it into a county, it's going to make that pie smaller for everybody.â€
Some, like Pastor Willis Kelly, worry about the impact on today’s youth.
“What we're concerned about is families, young families, and children and youth that's out in the rural areas where this is going to be available. and there's less police action and force out there to see that the alcohol problem is handled properly," said Kelly.
Before Tuesday’s vote, Colvin said he believes there’s a greater good to consider regarding the decision and its impact on the county as a whole.
Following the vote, he said residents will likely start to see changes as early as December.
