Columbus County commissioners approve placing three alcohol‑sales questions on November ballot

The Columbus County Board of Commissioners voted April 20 to place three separate questions about alcoholic beverage sales on the November 3, 2026 ballot, asking voters whether to permit (1) on‑ and off‑premises sale of malt beverages, (2) on‑ and off‑premises sale of unfortified wine, and (3) sale of mixed beverages in qualifying hotels, restaurants, private clubs, community theatres and convention centers.

The vote followed a multi‑speaker public input period in which representatives of Racetrack convenience stores and local business owners urged the commissioners to let voters decide. John Priede, director of real estate for Racetrack, and Amanda Bambrick of Morningstar Law Group said placing the question on the ballot is a procedural first step before any state ABC permits or local site approvals would be required. "This is the first step in what would be a longer process, ultimately involving an election," Bambrick said, adding that the ballot language comes from state statute.

Small retailers framed the request as a fairness issue. "I am here to ask the commissioners to place the issue on the ballot in November so the voters can make the final decision," said Larry Fowler, owner of Fowler Supermarket, who told the board countywide sales could bring an estimated $140,000 in annual revenue.

Residents and some commissioners argued against ballot placement on moral and public‑safety grounds. Carl Brown of the Macedonia community and Tim Moore of Cerro Gordo both said they opposed expanding access and cited personal and religious objections. Commissioner Ricky Bullard presented an envelope of signatures opposing the referendum.

Board members questioned specifics of the third ballot item and sought a legal definition. Commissioner Giles Byrd asked whether the reference to "community theatres" would include conventional movie theaters where children attend; Interim County Attorney Misty Jorgensen clarified that under the state definition the term refers to performing arts venues and similar facilities, not standard movie theaters. Jorgensen also noted each of the three questions will appear separately on the ballot and may pass or fail independently, saying the ballot wording is prescribed by the General Assembly.

Commissioner Lavern Coleman moved to approve placing the three questions on the November ballot; Vice Chairman Scott Floyd seconded. Chairman Brent Watts called for a roll‑call vote. The resolution calling the referendum and requesting the Columbus County Board of Elections to conduct the vote was adopted. (The transcript includes inconsistent numeric vote counts in the roll call; the board approved the resolution as recorded in the minutes.)

If one or more questions pass in November, implementation would still require applicants to obtain state ABC permits and any applicable local approvals, including planning‑department review and compliance with DOT or DEQ requirements, Jorgensen said. The board certified the formal resolution calling the referendum and specifying the exact questions; the resolution directs the Board of Elections to place the three questions on the November 3, 2026 ballot.

The board's action does not itself authorize any retail sales; it only places the questions before voters. The next procedural steps are administration of the ballot by elections officials and, if approved by voters, permitting and site‑level approvals under state and local rules.