Columbus County Unfortified Wine Election

Last updated Sat, Nov 7, 4:07 PM ET

Ballot measure · November 3, 2026

What it does
To permit the "on-premises" and "off-premises" sale of unfortified wine.
A YES vote means
The on-premises and off-premises sale of unfortified wine would be permitted in Columbus County.
A NO vote means
The on-premises and off-premises sale of unfortified wine would not be permitted in Columbus County by this vote.
Needed to pass
A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.
Left–right lean
Unclear: our AI read of the official summary isn't confident enough (we require 70%) to place this on the left–right spectrum, so we don't. Read the summary and decide for yourself.

The YES and NO lines are SpectrumVote's plain-language reading of the official text above; the official text is what you vote on.

Official text: source

Background

The Columbus County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution on April 20, 2026 calling for three separate alcohol questions on the November 3, 2026 ballot: malt beverages, unfortified wine, and mixed beverages, according to the meeting minutes.

The roll-call vote was 6-1, with Commissioners Coleman, Floyd, Smith, Featherson, Byrd and Chairman Watts voting yes and Commissioner Bullard voting no; during the meeting, speakers addressed the board both in favor of letting voters decide and in opposition to expanded alcohol sales.

According to statements recorded in the minutes, such sales are already legal in towns such as Whiteville, Lake Waccamaw and Tabor City but not in the county's unincorporated areas; one speaker said the county had not held such a referendum since about 2003.

Put on the ballot by Columbus County Board of Commissioners, 6-1, April 20, 2026 (resolution calling the referendum).

From official source 1, official source 2.

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Quick answers

What does a YES vote on Columbus County Unfortified Wine Election mean?
The on-premises and off-premises sale of unfortified wine would be permitted in Columbus County.
What does a NO vote on Columbus County Unfortified Wine Election mean?
The on-premises and off-premises sale of unfortified wine would not be permitted in Columbus County by this vote.
How many votes does Columbus County Unfortified Wine Election need to pass?
A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.
Should I vote yes or no on Columbus County Unfortified Wine Election?
SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Read what a YES and a NO vote each do, and the official text, then decide based on what you want to happen.
When is the vote?
The general election was Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Counts are unofficial until each state certifies its results over the following weeks; your state or county election office has the official results.

Not sure how to decide? Read our nonpartisan guide to the Columbus County ballot.

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