Wine and liquor stores may soon be able to open their doors in Pearl, contingent on how citizens vote during Tuesday’s municipal general election.
The ballot in Pearl will feature a mayoral race between Republican incumbent Jake Windham and Democrat Willie Robinson and races for board of aldermen. It will also include a simple question asking voters, “Would you be for or against wine and spirit stores in the City of Pearl on the basis of having design restrictions as well as the number of stores allowed in the City?”
Residents will be able to vote for or against the referendum.
Rankin County, where Pearl resides, is still a “dry” county – meaning alcohol cannot be sold within its borders unless municipalities opt out of the law through a local election. If Pearl residents decide to make the city “wet,” it will join neighbors such as Brandon and Flowood who have found ways in recent years to sell alcohol.
145 miles southeast of Pearl, in Lucedale, voters decided during the primary election in April to allow liquor to be sold inside city limits. The move was approved by nearly 70% of voters.
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Municipal general elections are being held statewide on Tuesday. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. More information can be found here.
