Early voter turnout light on Dayton alcohol question

Turnout in early voting on an alcohol referendum on the ballot in Dayton, Tenn., has been light, but still about what officials expected.

Since early voting began March 30, 232 early ballots have been cast, Rhea County Administrator of Elections Tom Davis said Monday. Dayton has 4,083 registered voters.

“We’re hoping to do better than that,” Davis said.

“Historically, we vote about 50-50, early voting and election day, respectively,” he said. “We’re expecting somewhere between 500 and 700, so that would put us right in there.”

Early voting continues until polls close at 4 p.m. Thursday. Election day is April 19.

One reason for the dip in interest is the ballot’s uncontested seats for mayor and city council — incumbent Gary Louallen is unopposed and Billy C. Graham and Steven E. Randolph have no challengers — leaving only the liquor decision to voters, Davis said.

“It’s surprising that it’s drawn so little discussion,” Davis said, adding that it’s possible people aren’t as interested since voters in Dayton passed liquor-by-thedrink in 2012.

“The argument that I have heard for the liquor is: ‘People are going to drink anyway so we might as well get the tax revenue,’” Davis said. “The argument against: ‘We don’t need to make it easier for young people to get alcohol.’”

Davis wasn’t sure which side a light turnout would favor.

Alcohol questions have previously appeared on ballots in Rhea County. Dayton and Spring City voters passed liquor-by-thedrink in 2012, while Graysville voters nixed that question in 2012 and again in November 2014.

In November 2016, Dayton voters also passed a wine in grocery stores referendum by a 3-1 margin.