Overland Park ? Opponents of Sunday liquor sales in Overland Park appear to have failed — by a large margin — to force the issue to a public vote.

The group submitted a petition Monday with 50 signatures calling for a referendum on the issue. But the petition needed 1,374 signatures.

City Atty. Bob Watson said it appears the Kansas City suburb’s 28 liquor stores will be able to open this Sunday. Watson added that the Johnson County Election Commissioner will have the final say after examining the petition.

Liquor stores would be able to open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays. Stores also could sell booze on Memorial Day, Labor Day and the Fourth of July.

The law doesn’t apply to grocery stores and convenience stores, which are limited by a separate law to selling low-alcohol-content beverages.

Overland Park is among a growing list of communities authorizing Sunday sales. State law has long banned such sales, but a Wyandotte County district judge ruled last year that cities and counties have the authority to exempt themselves from the ban.