Artesians vote in favor of by-the-drink sales

By ROB LARSON
Daily Press Staff Writer
Should alcohol be allowed to be sold by the glass by local restaurants in Artesia on Sundays? Judging by the results of the special municipal election held Tuesday, the answer is yes.
Unofficially, 199 Artesians voted in support of allowing Sunday sales, and 112 were opposed. Of the 6,571 registered, eligible voters in Artesia, 311 (or roughly 5 percent) voted in the special election. A total of 234 voters stepped into voting booths on Tuesday, while 77 of the votes tallied were from absentee or early voting. … For the rest of the story, subscribe in print and on the web.
As Assistant City Clerk Lisa Johnston explained, the next step will be canvassing, or making the results official, at 8 a.m. Thursday morning. The canvassing will be carried out by Judge Daniel Reyes Jr. of the Artesia Magistrate Court by reviewing all election materials.
After canvassing, City Hall will then send a letter containing the official results to New Mexico’s Alcohol and Gaming Division.