MIDDLESEX TWP — A referendum to end the prohibition of liquor licenses in the township will go to voters in this spring's election after petitioners appealed an initial rejection by the Bureau of Elections.

The bureau initially issued a rejection because the petition mistakenly listed the date of the upcoming primary as May 31, instead of the correct date, May 21.

County Judge Timothy McCune ruled in the petitioners' favor, saying the error was typographical and did not have a material effect on the petition.

Despite this, McCune said that Shari Brewer, Bureau of Elections director, was justified in her decision to reject the petition.

Petition organizer Mary Lou Tabisz said she is happy with the ruling and excited for the upcoming May 21 vote.

“With the amount of signatures that we got, the Middlesex residents spoke loud and clear that they do want this on the ballot for a decision that the township residents could make,” Tabisz said.

Residents will vote on the referendum during the primary and only a simple majority is needed to pass it into law.

Tabisz said she and her group will start advertising closer to the election, posting signs around the township and messages on social media about the referendum.

She said residents who signed the petition had a variety of reasons for signing, from older residents looking for a shorter drive to a restaurant that serves alcohol to young parents looking to have a night out closer to home.