Around New England

No Beer-and-Wine Ballot Question in November

June 26, 2020

Supporters of a proposed referendum seeking to allow more stores to sell beer and wine are withdrawing their campaign because of the cost of making their case to Massachusetts voters.

Cumberland Farms, the convenience store giant that was backing the ballot question, announced Friday, June 26 that it is dropping the effort for November 2020 but may try again in November 2022, according to State House News Service.

A spokesman cited the coronavirus emergency’s effect on stores and employees, suggesting the campaign would cost more than $10 million and “is not a prudent course of action at this particular moment in history.”

Liquor stores in Massachusetts have opposed the idea.