Today’s the deadline for canvassers to turn in additional signatures to get local option alcohol sales measures on the ballot in Craighead and Saline Counties.
Saline County canvassers Monday turned in roughly 6,000 more signatures, needing 4,000 of registered voters to meet the standard of 38 percent of registered voters (about 25,600) to call an election. I don’t have a count yet on progress in Craighead, where about 20,000 signatures were needed.
Canvassing has continued in Faulkner County, with an Aug. 5 deadline for submitting initial petitions. From there, that group could be given an additional 10 days (not 30 as originally written) to qualify if they fall short of needed signatures after a 10-day county review.
And speaking of alcohol: Canvassing continues on a statewide alcohol sales proposal to make law uniform across the state and legalize sales in every county. David Couch, attorney for that group, said he has result from recent automated polling on the issue. He said it showed 49-32 support, with 16 percent neutral.
Also: canvassing continues in Jacksonville to end that city’s position as a dry zone in a wet county. A similar drive in Sherwood is on hold awaiting statewide developments. Either or both could continue or be renewed with special election targets if nothing happens statewide in November.