Elections board approves beer plant referendum

Members of the Citizen Participation and Civics Education Commission of the State Electoral Institute approved the request to move forward with a referendum to allow voters to determine the fate of the Constellation Brands beer plant south of Mexicali.

Commission Chair Abel Muñoz said the petition was delayed due to the appeals filed by Tenedora Inmobiliaria, the company that represents New York-based Constellation Brands.

State Election Court granted the private company a right to have a voice in the matter, as well as to inspect voter signatures submitted by referendum proponents.

The petition now goes to the Election Board for approval.

Authorities do not know if the referendum will take place during the gubernatorial election in June.