Forsyth County, City Voters Approve Sunday Alcohol Sales

Voters in Forsyth County, including the city of Cumming overwhelmingly approved Sunday alcohol sales and chose Newt Gingrich as the Republican presidential candidate in Tuesday’s election.

Voter turnout throughout the county was also healthy.

"I think the turnout was better in several precincts than we expected," said Don Glover, chief registrar and chairman of the Board of Elections. "We had lines at the end of the day and we served the voters well I think."

As voters were casting their ballots in the statewide presidential preference primary they were presented with a referendum question:

"Shall the governing authority of Forsyth County, Georgia, be authorized to permit and regulate package sales by retailers of malt beverages, wine, and distilled spirits on Sundays between the hours of 12:30 P.M. and 11:30 P.M.?"

With all 25 precincts reporting, 68.58 percent of voters (21,491) said yes to Sunday alcohol sales, with 31.42 percent (9,846) voting no.

The same question was posed for voters in the city of Cumming.

City residents approved the referendum with one precinct reporting, 61.01 percent (363) said yes and 38.99 percent (232) voting no.

The new law will go into effect on March 18, the first Sunday after election results are certified on Tuesday, according to Barbara Luth, supervisor of Voter Registrations and Elections.

 with all 25 precincts reporting, Newt Gingrich wins with 47.57 percent (14,419 votes), followed by Mitt Romney at 28.15 percent (8,533 votes), Santorum at 17.32 percent (5,249 votes) and Texas Congressman Ron Paul at 6.34 percent (1,923 votes). President Barack Obama received 799 votes.

Election results are unofficial until certified on Friday, March 9 when the Board of Registrations and Elections meet.