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Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians schedules referendum on alcohol

Wednesday, May 23, 2018

Liquor is allowed at the Harrah's Cherokee Casino and Resort and the Harrah's Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel, both owned by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Photo: Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort

Citizens of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians will vote May 31 in an alcohol referendum.

Only one question is on the ballot, The Smoky Mountain News reported. Voters will be asked whether the tribe should open its own liquor store in North Carolina.

Currently, liquor is offered at the tribe's two gaming facilities. But non-Indian establishments in a certain portion of the reservation are allowed to do the same and the tribe has no control over the situation.

“The intent is just that – it would be tribally-owned,” Chief Richard Sneed said at a May 15 town hall where the issue was discussed, The Cherokee One Feather reported.

During the meeting, an election official said the store would offer one entrance for beer and another for spirits, wine, alcohol and liquor.

Read More on the Story:
Cherokee to vote in alcohol referendum (The Smoky Mountain News May 23, 2018)
Five issues discussed at Town Hall Meeting (The Cherokee One Feather May 16, 2018)

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Eastern Cherokee casino stocks new beer created by tribal citizens (March 21, 2018)
Eastern Cherokees schedule vote on liquor sales beyond casinos (February 7, 2018)
Eastern Cherokees weigh expansion of liquor sales beyond gaming enterprise (November 7, 2017)