PEARL RIVER COUNTY — Pearl River County residents are collecting signatures to place a countywide liquor referendum on the ballot, giving voters the opportunity to decide whether to allow the sale, distribution and manufacture of alcoholic beverages in the county. 

Under Mississippi law, supporters must gather signatures from at least 20% of the county’s qualified electors, or 1,500 qualified electors, whichever is less, before submitting the petition to the Pearl River County Board of Supervisors. If election officials determine that enough valid signatures have been collected, the board must call a countywide election on the issue. 

The last countywide liquor referendum was held in November 2006, when voters rejected allowing liquor sales. Supporters are now making another attempt. 

County resident Sidney Albritton, who is helping organize the petition drive, said he believes the effort has gained strong community support. 

“I have been discussing with other businesspeople and individuals for several years about moving forward with the petition, and I decided to help spearhead it, organize it and help gather signatures to get it on the ballot,” he said. 

Albritton said residents have been signing petitions at businesses throughout the county, and he is confident organizers will collect enough signatures to qualify for a referendum.

If voters approve the measure, Pearl River County officials would establish local ordinances governing liquor sales, while businesses would still be required to obtain permits from the Mississippi Department of Revenue before selling alcoholic beverages.

Albritton said he recognizes residents hold differing opinions on the issue but believes enough has changed since the last referendum nearly two decades ago. 

“2006… that’s quite a long time, and our county has changed a lot since then,” Albritton said. “I see the benefits of what it could do for our area.” 

He said allowing liquor sales in the county could help keep consumer spending and tax revenue from flowing to neighboring communities, where residents currently purchase alcohol. 

“There’s a lot of ancillary businesses that are affected by the time someone goes down (to Louisiana),” Albritton said. “When residents are leaving from the north part of the county, they’re buying other things that affect our other businesses here.” 

As of this week, county officials said no petition had been officially filed with the county. Organizers have circulated petitions at 26 grocery stores, convenience stores, restaurants and gas stations throughout Pearl River County.