Opportunity on Tap
Your signature. Your say. Your Cleveland!
Local Option Election Petition
A Chamber-led effort to give Cleveland residents the opportunity to vote on whether to permit the legal sale of all alcoholic beverages, including mixed beverages, in the city limits of Cleveland.
What This Petition Is (and Isn’t)
This petition does only one thing:
It places the question of legal alcohol sales on a future ballot so Cleveland voters can decide.
Signing the petition does NOT:
- Approve or allow alcohol sales
- Express support or opposition
- Commit you to vote a certain way
Signing simply ensures the issue appears on the ballot.
Why This Matters for Cleveland
Cleveland is one of the few communities in the region that does not allow the legal sale of alcoholic beverages.
This can limit the city’s ability to attract:
- Full-service restaurants
- Retail chains and grocers
- Family-friendly entertainment options
- New jobs and private investment
Allowing a future vote gives Cleveland the chance to remain competitive for economic growth.
Economic Facts
Cities that transition from “damp” to “full wet” typically see:
- Growth in restaurants and retail
- Increased sales tax and mixed-beverage tax revenue
- New employment opportunities
- Enhanced amenities for residents
State and local regulations—including zoning, distance rules for churches and schools, and TABC licensing—remain fully in place regardless of election outcomes.
The local Economic Impact for this initiative is estimated to result in:
- An additional $5.8 Million in new local spending.
- Potential to add 55 new jobs in the community.
- Generate up to $123,000 in new sales tax revenue for local government services.
Petition Eligibility
- Must live within the City Limits of the City of Cleveland.
- Excludes residents who live in unincorporated areas of the county with a Cleveland area code. Residency within CISD does not guarantee eligibility.
- Must have been registered to vote in the City of Cleveland as of the date of the issuance of the petition. (10/20/2025)
- Must appear on the County Election Administrator’s official record of registered voters for the City of Cleveland.
Why the Chamber Is Leading This Initiative?
The chamber has a history of championing important community issues. For example, the adoption of zoning and the creation of the Type-B Economic Development Corporation were initiatives that were championed by the Greater Cleveland Chamber.
The Chamber believes that helping with this signature collection effort is important because:
- The Chamber can provide factual information
- The Chamber can coordinate the petition process
- The Chamber aims to support business and community growth
- The goal is to ensure Cleveland voters—not outside voices—decide the issue
How to Sign the Petition
Eligible residents can sign at:
- Chamber office
- City of Cleveland City Hall
- Austin Memorial Library
- Cleveland Civic Center
- The Grand Bistro & Bar
- Cleveland Pharmacy
- Designated community events
- Participating business locations
- Door-to-door outreach by Chamber volunteers
Bring:
- Your name and address
- A form of identification for signature verification (not required, but recommended)
Note: Only original handwritten signatures can be accepted under Texas law.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does signing mean I support alcohol sales?
A: No. Signing only places the question on the ballot.
Q: How many signatures are needed?
A: State law defines the requirement based on the number of registered voters. The Chamber seeks to collect more than the minimum to ensure the petition qualifies after verification.
Q: Will bars open everywhere?
A: No. All alcohol-related businesses must comply with TABC rules and Cleveland’s zoning laws.
Q: Will this affect churches or schools?
A: No. State-mandated distancing requirements remain in place.
Q: Why now?
A: Many businesses evaluating Cleveland require a “wet” designation before considering expansion. A local option election gives the community the chance to decide how to position Cleveland for the future.
Q: What is this petition for a Local Option Election?
A: If this petition is successful in soliciting the required number of signatures, it would provide for putting a proposition on the May 2026 ballot for the voters to consider the Legal Sale of all alcoholic beverages including mixed beverages in the City of Cleveland proper.
Q: What happens if enough signatures are collected?
A: Once the required number of signatures are verified by the County Election Office, the measure will be placed on the next eligible election ballot in May of 2026 for Cleveland voters to decide.
Q: How many signatures are needed?
A: State law determines the number based on a percentage of registered voters in the last gubernatorial election. This specific type of petition and local option would require 35% of those voters to sign the petition and be verified.
Get Involved with this initiative
Here are factual ways the community can support the process:
- Share information about eligibility requirements
- Inform neighbors about where the petition is available
- Ask questions and learn about the process
To volunteer as a signature collector, contact the Chamber today!
Contact the Chamber
For more information about the petition process:
Greater Cleveland Chamber of Commerce
908 E. Houston St. Ste. 110
Cleveland, TX 77327
(281) 592-8786 Fax: (281) 592-6949