Proponents for allowing Sunday liquor sales in Baldwin are leading a tight special election by 19 votes with 36 advanced ballots yet to be counted.

The “No” votes outnumbered “Yes” votes 183-164, said Douglas County Clerk Jamie Shew.

A “No” vote is a vote for Sunday alcohol sales in Baldwin because the question on Thursday’s ballot was whether to prohibit Sunday sales of alcohol after a petition protested a 3-2 vote in September by the Baldwin City Council to allow Sunday sales.

Because Baker University students were home on Christmas break and the election was three days before Christmas, county election officials anticipated a lower voter turnout for the special election.

The 347 votes counted so far represents a 14 percent voter turnout, Shew said.

Even considering Sunday sales marked a change in Baldwin’s history.

The Kansas Educational Association of the Methodist Episcopal Church sold the lots, which became the city, in 1858 to raise money to build Baker University.

A stipulation restricted the land to be used for making or selling alcohol. But it has never been invoked, and Baker President Dan Lambert has said previously that the university trusts city administrators regarding those matters.