Less than two months remain before a new Sunday liquor sales ordinance can go into effect.
Earlier this month, the Emporia City Commission approved the ordinance which would extend retail sales of alcoholic liquor and cereal malt beverages on Sundays. The ordinance was posted in the Emporia Gazette April 14 and April 21, thus beginning a 60-day protest period.
Emporia City Attorney Christina Montgomery explains the necessary threshold required for a successful petition.
That percentage would come down to about 415 signatures. Montgomery says there are rules also governing what constitutes a valid and invalid signature.
Montgomery says there is specific language from the ordinance needed to be on the petition.
According to the Secretary of State’s office, petitioners should seek the advice of an attorney before drawing up their petition form and reviewing the requirements of the petition. Before being circulated for signatures, the petitions must be submitted to the county attorney for approval. The petition also requires notarization.
The deadline to turn in petitions is June 22. If a petition is successful, Emporia voters will decide whether or not to approve Sunday alcohol sales on the August primary ballot. Interested individuals wanting to circulate a petition should contact Lyon County Election Commissioner Tammy Vopat’s office at 620-341-3244.
