(Editor’s Note: The following article is reprinted from the February 3, 2016 edition of The Wayne County Outlook by News Editor Melody Phelps)

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An effort to vote Monticello wet continues this week, as a group of Monticello residents is currently seeking signatures on a petition requesting a local option election in the city.

A copy of the petition statement appears on a Facebook page established by a community group called Move Monticello Forward.

The petition states, “We, the undersigned registered voters, hereby petition for an election on the following question: Are you in favor of the sale of alcoholic beverages in the City of Monticello.”

While no total number of signatures already obtained has been made available, there has been quite a bit of support for the effort so far, according to Todd McFarland, who is serving as spokesperson for the organization.

“We have had a lot of people who are willing to help out,” said McFarland.

McFarland said the goal is to obtain about 500 signatures, well above the approximately 375 signatures that are required to prompt a local option election.

McFarland noted that number is based on 25 percent of the voters who voted in the city in the last general election.

In order to sign the petition, a voter must be a resident of the City of Monticello, must be at least 18 years of age, and must be a registered voter in the state of Kentucky.

McFarland noted that this is not a “moist” vote, which allows alcohol to be sold by the drink at restaurants. Rather, the group is seeking a “wet” local option election, which would allow package alcohol sales.

Eight city precincts would be included in any local option election.

Once the petition is completed, it will be turned over to Wayne County Clerk Josephine Gregory.

Gregory noted that she and her staff will then have to verify signatures on the petition and ensure that the people who have signed it are registered city voters.

If verified, the petition would then go to Wayne County Judge/Executive Mike Anderson who would set a date for the special election.

McFarland noted that any special election on this issue would have to be set no sooner than 60 days after the petition is verified and no later than 90 days.

Gregory noted there are also regulations that prohibit a special election from being scheduled 30 days before or 30 days after a regular election.

Wayne County’s next regular election is the primary, which is set for May 17.