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Say Yes to Sunday
Frequently Asked Questions
| Q. | What is the purpose of the Say Yes to Sunday petition drive? |
| R. | The petition drive seeks enough petition signatures of Ottawa Country registered voters to place the question of overturning the Sunday beer and wine sales ban before voters in the November 4 general election. |
| Q. | How many signatures are required? |
| R. | State liquor law requires petitions with valid registered voter signatures equaling at least 35% of the vote for Secretary of State in the most recent election are needed to place the issue on the November ballot. In Ottawa County that means a minimum of 38,000 signatures are required. |
| Q. | Is it true that “spirit” or “hard liquor” alcohol may be purchased on Sunday? |
| R. | YES. Sale of liquor by the glass only at establishments whose revenue from food sales exceed 50% has been lawful in Ottawa County since 1981 when the Board of Commissioners authorized it. |
| Q. | How and when did the current Sunday beer and wine sales ban come into effect? |
| R. | >At the 1976 general election, Ottawa County voters rejected a proposal to rescind the Sunday beer and wine sales ban. As required in Michigan liquor law, the proposal was written so that those voting to allow Sunday beer and wine sales had to vote No. The law remains the same which means if the petition drive is successful, those voting in November to permit Sunday beer and wine sales must vote No. |
| Q. | How many other Michigan counties prohibit Sunday beer and wine sales? |
| R. | None. Of Michigan’s 83 counties, Ottawa is the only county that prohibits beer and wine sales on Sunday. All of Ottawa’s neighboring counties – Allegan, Kent and Muskegon -- have long permitted such sales. |
| Q. | Will Sunday beer and wine sales help the local economy? |
| R. | With its miles of sandy beaches, stunning lakeshore, and many recreational opportunities, Ottawa County is a prime Michigan visitor destination. Many local businesses can recite numerous instances in which customers literally walked out the door when they learned of the Sunday beer and wine ban. So important is this issue, that both the Grand Haven Area and the Holland Area Convention and Visitors Bureaus are strongly supporting the petition drive |
| Q. | If beer and wine sales are permitted, will it only help businesses who have a liquor license? |
| R. | No. Employees of licensees will gain new opportunity for additional work hours; servers in restaurants will see higher wages from tips. One experienced restaurateur estimates Sunday sales could yield $1,480,000 in added payroll each year based on requirements for 3 additional workers in each of the countys 200 liquor licensees. Businesses nearby restaurants now closed on Sunday should see new foot traffic. |
| Q. | How important is the hospitality industry in Ottawa County? |
| R. | Very important. The Michigan Restaurant Association, using labor market data supplied by the U.S. Dept of Labor, estimates there are 12,500 jobs or 9.7% of Ottawa County’s workforce engaged in the hospitality industry. Sunday sales will expand that as more personnel will be required to properly serve those who now leave Ottawa County on Sunday because of the beer and wine sales ban. |
| Q. | Who is the Say Yes to Sunday Committee? |
| R. | The Committee was formed by a group of locally-based and owned business leaders concerned about the future of the hospitality industry in the county. Members of the committee are from Allendale, Grand Haven, Holland, Jenison and Spring Lake. |
| Q. | Who may sign the petitions? |
| R. | Only Ottawa County registered voters may sign the petitions. Petitioncirculators need only be a registered voter in the State of Michigan. For example, voters living in the Allegan County portion of the City of Holland may not sign the petition, but can act as a circulators, collecting signatures from Ottawa County registered voters.
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