MARSHALL COUNTY, KS — Marshall County voters will face a special question on the November 4 general election ballot regarding the sale of liquor by the drink in public establishments.
The measure asks voters to decide whether to eliminate the current food sales requirement for venues that sell liquor by the drink. This change would allow establishments to sell alcoholic beverages without needing to meet a minimum percentage of revenue from food sales.
The Marshall County Commission adopted a resolution in August to place this question before the electorate.
The county’s ability to approve these sales stems from a 1986 amendment to the Kansas state constitution. Following that amendment, Marshall County voters originally approved liquor-by-the-drink sales, but with a 30% food sales requirement attached.
If approved, Marshall County would join the majority of counties in the state that have already removed this restriction. As of early 2025, 51 of Kansas’s 105 counties have eliminated the food sales requirement. Conversely, only one county, Wallace, completely prohibits the sale of liquor by the drink and restricts sales to 3.2 percent beer. The outcome of the November vote will determine whether Marshall County retains or removes its existing food sales mandate.
