KNOTT COUNTY, Ky. (FOX 56) — Kentucky, a state famous for bourbon and the mint julep, still has communities that have rejected alcohol sales since prohibition.
In Kentucky, there are wet, moist, and dry counties with varying access to alcohol.
People must be over 21 to purchase alcohol in any wet or moist community, 20 to serve alcohol or bartend, and 18 to sell beer.
In 2023, multiple Kentucky counties voted to approve the sale of alcohol, including Allen, Casey, Madison, Garrard, and Henderson. Taylor County also had a vote in 2023 where they decided not to approve alcohol sales.
Knott County is the next community to ask the question, but it's not the first time.
Some Knott County voters have been fighting for alcohol sales since as early as 2012, when they successfully petitioned to have the local option added to the ballot. That movement failed and was attempted again in 2017, when it was added to the ballot again and failed.
NPR affiliate WEKU reported in 2023 that a new petition was started and needed 1,317 signatures before Jan. 31 to get the alcohol option added to the 2024 primary election.
That petition succeeded, and now voters are being asked again, "Are you in favor of the sale of alcoholic beverages in Knott County?"
FOX 56 News is Your Local Election Headquarters, where you can find up-to-the-minute election results for the race in Knott County.
You can also see the full results from the May 21 primary election from counties across Kentucky.
