Arkansas voters have turned down a proposed constitutional amendment that would have legalized alcohol sales in all 75 counties.
Backers of the proposal had argued that Arkansas' current patchwork of wet and dry counties is archaic and that legalizing alcohol sales everywhere would boost local economies. But opponents of the measure say whether alcohol is available should be decided on the local level.
Opponents vastly outspent supporters in the campaign, with much of the money coming from liquor stores in wet counties.
Now, a county can hold an election to legalize alcohol sales if supporters gather signatures from 38 percent of registered voters in the county. The proposed constitutional amendment would have done away with local-option elections and legalized alcohol sales beginning on July 1, 2015.
