Sunday alcohol measure closer to November vote

FAYETTEVILLE — Fayetteville is one step closer to having Sunday alcohol sales on the November ballot.

Keep Our Dollars in Fayetteville, a group backed by Walmart, said it has turned in the signatures needed to put the measure on the ballot, according to a news release.

The group aims to keep revenue in Fayetteville, as surrounding cities allow alcohol sales on Sunday while Fayetteville does not.

The group needs 4,182 valid signatures to qualify the measure for the ballot — equal to 15% of the number of city residents who voted in the 2022 gubernatorial election — but turned in 7,000 signatures to the city clerk Thursday, according to the release.

Keep Our Dollars in Fayetteville expected to need up to six weeks on the petition process but gathered the needed signatures in two weeks, the release states.

“The overwhelming support we received while collecting signatures shows voters are ready to have more options in our stores when shopping on Sundays, and they want to keep more dollars right here in our community,” said Keaton Smith, the committee’s secretary. “It really is time to do away with this outdated ban and bring Fayetteville in line with so many of our surrounding communities.”

Keep Our Dollars in Fayetteville filed with the Arkansas Ethics Commission on March 2, according to the commission’s website. State Rep. Denise Garner, D-Fayetteville, is serving as its chairwoman.

The group proposes authorizing the sale of alcoholic beverages for off-premises consumption between 10 a.m. and midnight on Sundays within the city limits.

Two cities, Springdale and Tontitown, in Washington County and five, including Rogers and Bentonville, in Benton County allow Sunday alcohol sales, according to the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration. Springdale started allowing Sunday sales in 2012, while Bentonville and Rogers voters approved Sunday alcohol measures in 2022.

Greenland voters approved Sunday sales during the March 5 primary election.