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Columbia residents can now buy beer and wine on Sundays as the city takes a step away from the traditional Blue Laws, which previously prohibited the sale of beer and wine after 7 p.m. on Saturdays until Mondays.
The polls were busy yesterday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. as more than 10,000 voters came out to vote on a referendum allowing the sale of these alcoholic beverages.
The referendum was passed with an overwhelming majority: more than 7,000 voted in favor, almost 3,000 voted in opposition.
Mike Cinnamon, the county's elections commission director, said he is pleased with the recently passed referendum.
"I think people are going to buy it one way or another; we might as well get some tax revenue from it," Cinnamon said. "Society has grown and advanced where it [beer and wine] should be available at anytime."
Cinnamon said although he isn't sure when the referendum will go into effect, he said he assumes it will be soon after the city is formally notified of the results and officials will then set up the mechanics of licensing.
Students had different reactions, from excitement to indifference.
Jeff Jacobs, a third-year religious studies student, said he doesn't think the referendum will really change anything.
"I'm kind of indifferent to it because it doesn't affect practice any," Jacobs said. "If you went to Wal-Mart or any other store, you'd see lines out the door on Saturday nights for some type of alcohol."
David London, a second-year electrical engineer, said he is happy about the change.
"I'm totally excited about it because now we can buy beer and alcohol on Sundays," London said. "Sundays are the only days you run out of beer."
Chris Mead, a 21-year-old Columbia resident, said he feels the law should be about people's choices.
"I think it's awesome. I feel that is the way it should be," Mead said. "If people want to buy liquor and drink it, they should be able to go ahead and do that whenever they want."
Tommy Moore said he also thinks the referendum won't make a huge impact.
"People are still going to buy it whether it's on Sunday or not," said the first-year civil engineering student. "They'll just stock up the day before."
Cinnamon said this referendum only applies for the city of Columbia, but it will be on the ballot in November for everything outside of city limits.
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