Westborough, MA - - - In November, Massachusetts voters will weigh in on a ballot measure that responsibly increases the availability of off-premises retail alcohol licenses. It has been announced by the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth that the “Expanded Availability of Licenses for the Sale of Alcohol Beverages” initiative petition will appear on the November ballot as Question #3. The final requirement was certification of more than 13,347 signatures from registered voters who had not participated in the two previous signature submission requirements.
“Question #3 was filed to meet public desire for convenience while also preserving small businesses across the state,” explained Ryan Maloney, owner of Julio’s Liquors in Westborough and President of the Massachusetts Package Stores Association. He continued, “Question #3 is a compromise that restores balance to an industry that has been upended by large corporate interests seeking marketplace control. It is David v. Goliath. A YES Vote on Question #3 will responsibly expand licenses in a manner that keeps ‘Main Street’ small businesses open. It is a compromise.”
Over 19,000 pre-qualified signatures were delivered to the Office of the Secretary of State for final certification. These signatures were previously certified by town clerks across the state as valid signatures from resident voters. Carrying out of a second signature effort was triggered after the State Legislature determined not to enact a legislative alternative to the ballot initiative. Previously, the Office of the Secretary of State had certified close to 90,000 certified signatures from registered voters, which far exceeded the 80,239 minimum requirement. The initiative petition had also easily survived a late filed legal challenge by Cumberland Farms and other large corporate interests.
A YES vote in November will expand convenience by gradually increasing the number of allowed beer and wine licenses from nine (9) to eighteen (18), minus any full liquor licenses owned. Most states allow three (3) to five (5) full liquor licenses. The number of liquor licenses in Massachusetts will be capped at seven (7). A YES vote also enhances public safety and encourages vigilance by retailers through prohibiting self-checkout of alcohol beverages and by basing the fine for selling to a minor on a store’s total sales and not just its alcohol sales. A YES vote additionally supports state tourism and brings Massachusetts in line with every other state in the country by allowing for valid out of state IDs to be relied upon by alcohol beverage retailers.
Ben Weiner, owner of Sav-Mor Spirits and chair of the “21st Century Alcohol Retail Reform Committee,” applauded today’s announcement. “The future of ‘Main Street’ and local retail is in the hands of voters this November. While every effort imaginable will be made by large corporate interests to trick and mislead voters, local retail will succeed. Please support local retail by voting YES on Question #3. Question #3 responsibly expands the availability of alcohol licenses.”
Ryan Maloney added, “Locally owned stores want to personally thank their loyal customers, voters, and friends of the retailer that have placed their trust and support with Main Street retail. These family run stores take very seriously their role as gatekeepers against illegal sales. They are committed to the communities they serve. Please vote YES on #3”
