Residents in the Clay County cities of Ashland and Lineville have voted to legalise alcohol sales. Drink sales will still be illegal outside the cities, but the vote means alcohol can now be sold legally in at least part of each of Alabama’s 67 counties.

The last dry Alabama county votes to legalise alcohol sales.

The last dry Alabama county votes to legalise alcohol sales. Image by Quinn Dombrowski / CC BY-SA 2.0

Opponents argued against legalising alcohol sales on moral and public safety grounds. But supporters say allowing the sale of alcoholic beverages will help stimulate business in the rural, east Alabama county. Bootleggers have operated in Clay County for years, and possession of small amounts of alcohol in the county has been legal.

(Press Association)