Associated Press - July 20, 2010 6:04 AM ET

BOONEVILLE, Miss. (AP) - Absentee balloting is under way in Booneville as the city moves closer to a vote on the sale of alcohol.

Voters will head to the polls on Aug. 17 to decide whether or not the sale, distribution and possession of beer and light wines of less than 5% alcohol content by weight will be legal in the city limits of Booneville.

The Daily Corinthian reports the effort to hold a referendum on the alcohol issue began several months ago when the Citizens for New Business and Growth began circulating a petition calling for the special election.

The group presented the required number of signatures to require a public referendum on the issue to the Booneville Board of Aldermen last week who then set the date of the election.

Information from: The Daily Corinthian, http://www.dailycorinthian.com

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