Alcohol vote controversy: "The ballots were not legal"

SMITH COUNTY — New information to tell you about on the potential lawsuit against JP Precinct two and the City of Tyler about the two alcohol propositions on the ballot this year.

KETK has learned,  Pastor Mike Daniels with Landmark Baptist Church and "Stand Strong for Tyler" is just one of the people behind the injunction.

He tells KETK, the ballots are illegal.

Lawyers for those against the sale of alcohol claim rules and procedures for the election have not been followed.

And he says,  he's disappointed that it's come to this.

Pastor Daniels says, "The ballots were not legal. They did not contain enough proper signatures. They had dead people voting. People living outside Smith County in Nacogdoches and Lufkin, and way down South  in Beaumont that were counted. It's a total farce."

Pastor Daniels says, the issue is truly about the safety and responsibility of others.

And, he says, on Monday, it will all be there in black and white when the injunction is filed to stop the alcohol election.

If the two propositions pass,  it will allow the sale of beer and wine in Tyler and parts of Smith County.

Proponents say, selling beer and wine will bring more tax dollars to the area.

Bob Westbrook, is with "Buy Local First", a group pushing for alcohol sales.

He tells KETK,  he's not surprised someone is trying to do this.

But,  he is surprised by the timing.

Normally, lawsuits are filed after the election.

Westbrook says, "This is really the last desperate act the opposition has to raise and create any seed of doubt in the voters. They're trying to influence the election taking place on Tuesday."

Westbrook tells KETK,  these same people have also tried to stop alcohol elections in Sulphur Springs, Mount Pleasant and Dallas.

All three of those attempts failed.