The measure, which would allow places where at least 30 percent of gross sales are from food to serve alcohol by the individual drink, was approved by 53 percent of the 5,782 voters in the county who let their opinions be known.

In Hillsboro, though, the proposal did not pass. In Ward 1 (West), 279 people (53 percent) voted no and 247 percent yes. In Ward 2 (East), 377 (60 percent) said no and 252 yes.

The county's next largest cities, Marion and Peabody, approved the measure with 74 percent and 61 percent support, respectively.

In the rural areas, only six of the 22 townships did not support liquor-by-the-drink: Doyle (15-20), East Branch (37-44), Liberty (48-94), Menno (58-79), Risley (43-63) and West Branch (181-250), which includes Goessel.

Contrary to some pre-election speculation by county leaders, a municipality such as Hillsboro does not have the option of exempting itself from the county-wide decision.

"It is my understanding that once a county has (voted in liquor-by-the-drink), there are no statutory opt-in or opt-out provisions," said Larry Baer of the League of Kansas Municipalities.

A city's only strategy for restricting liquor consumption is through its local licensing requirements and fees, he said.

In the election of leaders, Marion County gave strong support to President George W. Bush with nearly 73 percent of the vote (4,393). Democrat John Kerry received almost 25 percent (1,496). Reform Party candidate Ralph Nader received 1 percent (66).

For U.S. Senate, incumbent Republican Sam Brownback received nearly 79 percent of the vote (4,766) to 16 percent (981) for Democrat Lee Jones. Statewide, Brownback was reelected with 69 percent of the vote.

U.S. Rep. Jerry Moran easily outpolled his Libertarian challenger, Jack Warner, by a margin of 86 percent (5,176) to 15 percent (545). Statewide, Moran received 91 percent of the vote.

In the race for Kansas Senate District 17, Jim Barnett, the incumbent Republican, received nearly 66 percent (3,281) of the vote to 30 percent (1,497) for Democrat Sharon Karr. Across the district, Barnett received 62 percent of the vote.

In District 35, which includes the western edge of Marion County, Jay Emler, the incumbent Republican, received 70 percent (745) of the vote to 24 percent (257) for Democrat Chris Snyder. Emler received 72 percent of the vote district-wide.

All other state and county offices were uncontested. Elected were: Don Dahl, District 70 of the Kansas House; Dan Holub, District 2 for county commission; Randy Dallke, District 3 for county commission; Carol Maggard, county clerk; Jeanine Bateman, county treasurer; Faye Makovec, register of deeds; Susan Robson, county attorney; and Lee Becker, sheriff.

Voter turnout in Marion County followed the nationwide trend, with about an 11 percent increase from the 2000 general election.