BENTONVILLE (KFSM) – Walmart has contributed $1 million to the pro-liquor group Our Community, Our Dollars, which is seeking to turn three Arkansas counties wet on the November ballot.
The world’s largest retailer, headquartered in Bentonville, contributed $333,333.33 each to the group’s organizers in Craighead, Saline and Faulkner counties, according to a report filed July 15 with the Arkansas Ethics Commission.
The monthly report includes contributions through June 30. The vote is set for Nov. 4 on the general election ballot.
The three-county effort is separate from a statewide initiative to turn all 75 counties wet. If the statewide effort receives more than 50 percent of the vote, all counties would become wet. However, if the statewide initiative fails, Craighead, Saline and Faulkner counties still could become wet if voters in any of the individual three counties give their approval on the separate ballot question.
Signatures for the statewide effort have been sent to Secretary of State Mark Martin, who will give the initiative the go-ahead if it gathered enough certified signatures.
The convenience store Kum & Go gave $50,000 to the three-county effort, which includes $16,666.67 for each county’s organizers, according to the contribution report.
