Voters Pass Sunday Alcohol Sales in DeKalb County

DeKalb County voters voted in favor of Sunday alcohol sales Tuesday by a wide margin.

After residents voted in November to put the measure on today's ballot, many voters at different precincts in DeKalb County said the issue was one of their primary reasons to go to the voting booth.

Other areas voting on a Sunday sales measure included Cobb, Forsyth, Gwinnett and Henry counties and the cities of Austell, Buford, Cumming, Lovejoy, Marietta and Powder Springs.

The vote allows stores in unincorporated DeKalb County to sell beer, wine and alcohol seven days a week. A number of voters at the polls today called the current law, which prohibits Sunday sales, antiquated and inconvenient. 

"I'm sick of having to drive to Fulton County or Gwinnett County to buy some beer on Sunday," said Joe Baird, 31, of Medlock. "Why does that tax revenue go to other counties?"

The law doesn't represent the way people live today, said Michael Harris, 39, also of Medlock.

"It's an antiquated religious law that doesn't need to be on our books," said Harris, a Ron Paul voter. "It's kind of embarassing."

But Ware Parrish, 62, said the religious issue is precisely what made her vote against the measure.

"I think Sunday is about church and family, and I don't think it's important," said Parrish, a Newt Gingrich voter.

DEKALB COUNTY SUNDAY ALCOHOL SALES
(189 out of 189 precincts reporting)

Stay tuned to Patch as precinct returns come in from across DeKalb County. We'll keep up with tallies for both candidates and the alcohol measure.