A Paulding County judge has made it official: All of Cobb County will vote again on Sunday package sales of alcohol July 31.

Superior Court Judge Arthur Fudger signed a consent order Monday between the county and plaintiffs who challenged the March 6 referendum in which residents of unincorporated voted to allow Sunday sales, The Marietta Daily Journal reported. The order was filed with the Cobb County Superior Court clerk's office Tuesday.

Former state Rep. Roger Hines of Acworth made the challenge, arguing that the county was wrong to exclude residents of Cobb's six cities from the countywide vote. Fudger received the case because Cobb's Superior Court judges recused themselves.

The county Board of Elections and Registration decided March 23 not to fight the challenge, acknowledging it couldn't win an argument that city residents already voted on the issue when they approved municipal Sunday-sales measures.

The revote will take place July 31, when Cobb voters already have a primary scheduled for state and county races, including Board of Commissioners Chairman Tim Lee's seat. So the Sunday-sales referendum won't cost more money.

The outcome isn't expected to change. In addition to winning in unincorporated areas, Sunday sales received approval in all six cities—Kennesaw, Acworth and Smyrna on Nov. 8; Powder Springs, Marietta and Austell on March 6.

If Cobb voters again say yes, Sunday sales will start in unincorporated areas Aug. 12, 10 weeks after the June 3 beginning planned under the original referendum.

That means Northeast Cobb stores such as Bullocks Wine & Spirits will be at a competitive disadvantage for months against liquor stores, convenience stores and grocery stores inside cities just down the road.

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