Answers to frequently asked questions.
Q. If this petition is successful, when would it go on the ballot.
A. The May 16, 2023 primary.
Q. Why is Madison County dry?
A. Madison County was made dry by prohibition in 1919. After prohibition ended Kentucky created a system in which areas could vote to be wet but Madison County has never voted wet countywide.
Q. If Madison County is dry, why can I buy alcohol in Richmond? Why can I get a drink in a restaurant in Berea.
A. The city limits of Richmond are wet. Berea is what's called moist, meaning you can get a drink in a restaurant but not buy alcohol in stores. Outside those locations the county is dry with the exception of places like golf courses, which have special licenses.
Q. Who can sign the petition?
A. Any Madison County, Kentucky registered voter including residents of the City of Richmond, the City of Berea, and County residents. 17 year-olds who will turn 18 before the November 2023 general election can register to vote now and sign the petition.
Q. Who can see my signature?
A. The signatures are being collected by Browne Law Office, PSC, in Richmond, Kentucky who will keep the petition confidential until it is submitted to the Madison County Clerk's Office.
Q. Who can vote on the ballot measure?
A. Any Madison County, Kentucky registered voter including residents of the City of Richmond, the City of Berea, and County residents. 17 year-olds who will turn 18 before the November 2023 general election can register to vote now and vote in the primary on May 16, 2023.
Q. If it passes will this change the moist status of the City of Berea?
A. Yes. It will make the City of Berea wet along with the rest of Madison County.
Q. Could Berea vote to become dry?
A. Yes. Individual precincts could seek a subsequent vote to switch to dry status.
Q. Why do we need to vote the county wet when there are already wet areas.
A. Because Madison County has lost millions of dollars not being wet countywide. Madison is the only county bordering Fayette County that isn't wet countywide. Not being wet puts Madison County at a disadvantage. Local businesses in dry areas are at a financial disadvantage. Companies that would open businesses in Madison County--like grocery store brands and restaurants--will not open in moist or dry areas, which harms economic growth and quality of life in those locations. Tourists do not like going to areas where the wet/dry status is confusing. Also, people living in dry areas don't have the same rights to visit their nearby stores and restaurants to buy products and have to spend time and gas to travel to wet areas.
Q. How many petition signatures will it take to get on the ballot?
A. 7,590. That number was be determined by the number of votes in the November 2022 general election.
Q. How long do you have to collect signatures?
A. We have until January 31, 2023.
Q. If this petition is successful, when would it go on the ballot.
A. The May 16, 2023 primary.
Q. Why is Madison County dry?
A. Madison County was made dry by prohibition in 1919. After prohibition ended Kentucky created a system in which areas could vote to be wet but Madison County has never voted wet countywide.
Q. If Madison County is dry, why can I buy alcohol in Richmond? Why can I get a drink in a restaurant in Berea.
A. The city limits of Richmond are wet. Berea is what's called moist, meaning you can get a drink in a restaurant but not buy alcohol in stores. Outside those locations the county is dry with the exception of places like golf courses, which have special licenses.
Q. Who can sign the petition?
A. Any Madison County, Kentucky registered voter including residents of the City of Richmond, the City of Berea, and County residents. 17 year-olds who will turn 18 before the November 2023 general election can register to vote now and sign the petition.
Q. Who can see my signature?
A. The signatures are being collected by Browne Law Office, PSC, in Richmond, Kentucky who will keep the petition confidential until it is submitted to the Madison County Clerk's Office.
Q. Who can vote on the ballot measure?
A. Any Madison County, Kentucky registered voter including residents of the City of Richmond, the City of Berea, and County residents. 17 year-olds who will turn 18 before the November 2023 general election can register to vote now and vote in the primary on May 16, 2023.
Q. If it passes will this change the moist status of the City of Berea?
A. Yes. It will make the City of Berea wet along with the rest of Madison County.
Q. Could Berea vote to become dry?
A. Yes. Individual precincts could seek a subsequent vote to switch to dry status.
Q. Why do we need to vote the county wet when there are already wet areas.
A. Because Madison County has lost millions of dollars not being wet countywide. Madison is the only county bordering Fayette County that isn't wet countywide. Not being wet puts Madison County at a disadvantage. Local businesses in dry areas are at a financial disadvantage. Companies that would open businesses in Madison County--like grocery store brands and restaurants--will not open in moist or dry areas, which harms economic growth and quality of life in those locations. Tourists do not like going to areas where the wet/dry status is confusing. Also, people living in dry areas don't have the same rights to visit their nearby stores and restaurants to buy products and have to spend time and gas to travel to wet areas.
Q. How many petition signatures will it take to get on the ballot?
A. 7,590. That number was be determined by the number of votes in the November 2022 general election.
Q. How long do you have to collect signatures?
A. We have until January 31, 2023.