FORT SMITH (KFSM)- The University of Arkansas on Thursday (Oct. 30) released its annual poll of likely voters, showing more of them were opposed to statewide alcohol sales than for them.
The UA poll shows voters opposing 51 percent to 41 percent a measure that would allow the retail sale of alcohol in every Arkansas county.
Shauna Johnson, who stocks the shelves at On The Border Wine And Spirits in Fort Smith, said she is encouraged by the poll results.
"[The measure] takes away our rights as citizens of Sebastian County to vote," Johnson said. "The sellers we have now could be gone. Walmart could come in and take over. Anyone can come in and distribute the alcohol and it would be detrimental, not just to the liquor stores, but also to the distributors in the area."
According to David Couch of the group Let Arkansas Decide, which is behind the statewide alcohol sales measure, if the initiative passes, it will generate over $100 million a year in annual economic development.
"It will create 500 to 600 new jobs," Couch said. "And generate hundreds of thousand of dollars in additional tax revenues for the dry counties."
Election Day is Nov. 4.