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Emmonak Votes Yes To Alcohol, But Officials Raise Questions About Vote

Katie Basile
/
KYUK

The official vote is in: Emmonak has voted yes to alcohol sales, but questions are arising about the process for the second time.

In the village's second attempt to conduct a vote on the legalization of alcohol last week, 111 people voted yes to alcohol sales, and 103 voted no. The first time, votes were thrown out after being improperly counted. This time, city and tribal authorities are wondering if they were asking the right question.

City officials met Monday to discuss the outcome of the vote. They decided it might have been better to go beyond just asking voters: "Should the city sell alcohol?" Officials now think voters should have also weighed in on whether or not Emmonak should legalize alcohol.

Officials say that they are meeting again Tuesday to discuss the question, which could lead to yet another vote.