Updated Nov. 3 at 9:20 p.m.


According to unofficial results, Buda will join a growing body of I-35 cities and allow licenses to sell alcoholic drinks until 2 a.m, with 2 out of 2 precincts reporting.

A total of 378, or 58.2 percent of voters, cast their ballot for the proposition to extend so-called last-call hours at Buda establishments serving alcoholic drinks until 2 a.m. A total of 271, or 41.8 percent of voters, voted against the measure.

Julie Renfro, who owns the Tavern on Main in downtown Buda, said she is "delighted" with the result. Those who voted for the measure had only a two-vote edge after early voting totals were released, but a surge of votes on Election Day secured the proposition's passage.

Renfro said she is contemplating taking steps to secure the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission permit to sell alcoholic drinks until 2 a.m.

"I will decide sometime in the very near future whether or not I will apply for the additional license and pay that additional money," Renfro said. "But I like having the choice, and that's really all I cared about."

Mayor Todd Ruge said he supported putting the proposition on the ballot because he believed it would pass.

"I believe in the voters' will," Ruge said.

All results are unofficial until canvassed.

Posted Nov. 3 at 7:30 p.m.

According to unofficial early voting results Nov. 3, Buda's second voter proposition relaxing alcohol restrictions in three years is nearly evenly split.

A total of 104, or 50.5 percent of voters, cast their ballot for the proposition to extend so-called last-call hours at Buda establishments serving alcoholic drinks until 2 a.m. A total of 102, or 49.5 percent of voters, voted against the measure.

Julie Renfro, who owns the Tavern on Main in downtown Buda, said she was surprised Proposition 1 did not have stronger support.

"It makes us look very small-town being the only one on the I-35 corridor for three counties [without a 2 a.m. last call],” Renfro said. “We are the only city that doesn't have that right, and I think we should.”

Previously the latest drinks could be served was 1 a.m. on Sundays. Last call was midnight on all other days.

The city has received a request from Mavericks Dance Hall, which owns a dance hall in Pflugerville, to extend the hours that alcohol can be sold to 2 a.m.

Mavericks is working with Cabela’s in Buda to acquire land near the retail store on which it would construct a dance hall.

In November 2012, Buda voters approved relaxing alcohol restrictions in the city. Before the rules changed, Buda restaurants could only sell mixed drinks as long as food made up 51 percent of their sales. Furthermore, in Buda, laws forbade the operation of liquor stores.

All results are unofficial until canvassed.