LEAKESVILLE — Greene County residents could vote on whether to allow retail sales of distilled spirits if supporters gather enough signatures to trigger a countywide election. 

Organizers began collecting signatures in early June and hope to gather the 1,500 signatures needed to qualify the measure for a vote in November. 

Under Mississippi law, supporters must collect signatures from 20% of the county’s qualified voters, up to a maximum of 1,500. If election officials determine the petition contains enough valid signatures, the Board of Supervisors must call an election within 60 days. The law does not require the election to coincide with the November general election. 

Registered Greene County voters can sign the petition at Leakesville City Hall. Organizers were unable to provide a current signature count but said they plan to submit the petition to the Board of Supervisors once they collect 1,500 signatures. 

This is the second known effort to bring the issue before voters. According to WLOX, a similar petition drive took place in 2012 but did not result in a countywide election. 

Greene County currently allows the sale of beer and light wine but prohibits most retail sales of distilled spirits. Two qualifying resort properties — Chickasawhay Hideaway and Wild Country Offroad — are permitted to sell liquor under Mississippi law. 

“Leakesville’s been a dry (town) for many, many years,” said James Radcliff, Leakesville’s administrative operations coordinator. “They petitioned in 2010 to allow beer and light wine. Since then, people have been asking for hard liquor.”

Mayor David West said the town’s role is to give residents the opportunity to decide the issue. 

“It’s up to the voters to choose,” West said. “We just put it in front of them. If they want it, they’ll vote for it. If they don’t, they’ll vote it down.” 

Radcliff said signing the petition does not indicate support for liquor sales but simply allows the issue to appear on the ballot for voters to decide. 

“This is not saying you’re going to want liquor or not,” Radcliff said. “You’re actually having this put on the ballot to let everybody have a choice.” 

Some residents and business owners said allowing liquor sales could help keep consumer spending within Greene County. 

“We need the liquor sales in the county just to generate more revenue in town,” said Leakesville business owner Al Roberts. “Right now, I have to drive to Richton or somewhere else to get it.” 

Radcliff said local liquor sales could help retain tax revenue that currently leaves the county. 

“For economic reasons, we need every dollar that you spend to stay here,” Radcliff said. “Liquor creates more tax revenue for the city and county as a whole.” 

Greene County resident Jimetra Holloway said she believes additional tax revenue could benefit the community. 

“Our taxes are through the roof, so I think that would be great,” Holloway said. “It’s another way for us to generate tax revenue.” 

West said additional retail traffic could also benefit other businesses. 

“It would put more people in town purchasing other products besides just that,” West said. 

Under Mississippi law, liquor stores cannot be located within 400 feet of a church, school or religious establishment. Radcliff said those restrictions would limit where liquor stores could operate within Leakesville’s city limits, while additional locations may be available in unincorporated areas of Greene County. 

If voters approve the measure, Radcliff said liquor sales could begin as early as January after the state licensing process is completed.