More than a year after a state question liberalizing alcohol sales had the adverse effect of hampering county restaurants and bars on Sundays and holidays, commissioners may give voters a chance to end a 35-year-old ban.

At their weekly meeting at 9 a.m. Tuesday in the Kingfi sher County Courthouse, commissioners will consider calling an election on two separate questions to eliminate the county bans on by-the-drink alcohol sales on Sundays and holidays.

If the election resolutions are approved, the vote would be scheduled to coincide with the presidential primary election in March.

“We’re required to find a scheduled election date to piggyback this issue,” Dist. 3 Commissioner Heath Dobrovolny said. “We don’t have the option of calling a special election.”

Among other changes, State Question 792, which took effect in October 1, 2018, allowed the sale of high-point beer (up to 8.99% alcohol by volume) by appropriately licensed retailers and restaurants.

However, long-standing state law made the decision of whether alcohol sales of any kind will be allowed on Sundays or holidays a matter of county option.

Kingfi sher County decided three decades ago to ban the sale of alcohol by the drink on Sundays as well as holidays.

That wasn’t a problem when low-point beer (defined by state statute as nonalcoholic) was still available.

But when distributors made the economic decision to phase out low-point beer entirely in Oklahoma, local bars and restaurants suddenly found their beer-drinking sports fans staying home to watch the Sunday game.

State Legislators recognized the problem and adopted State Bill 211, which also took effect in October 2018 and contains specifi c language allowing counties who still have any restrictions on either by-the-drink or retail store sales to call county elections to lift those restrictions.

The resolutions being considered by commissioners Tuesday would allow voters to decide whether to lift the bans, allowing Sunday by-the-drink and retail sales, as well as sales on any holiday except Christmas.

It’s a chance to rectify an unintended consequence of the alcohol liberalization law, but commissioners welcome public input at the meeting before their decision is made, Dobrovolny said.

As currently worded, the proposed ballot questions only cover liquor served for consumption on premises and not Sunday and holiday bottle sales at grocery, convenience and liquor stores, which also are banned by county ordinance.

“Right now, only the eating and drinking establishments have been pushing for changes, but after speaking with the ABLE (Alcohol Beverage Laws Enforcement) Commission there is that option to allow retail stores to also sell,” Dobrovolny said.

“That’s why we want a public discussion at Tuesday’s meeting.”