Arlington residents will go to the polls starting Monday with early voting to decide a Nov. 5 ballot item that could for the first time allow hard liquor sales within the City.

The proposition was brought to the citywide vote through a petition filed this spring that seeks to expand wine sales at the Ballpark in Arlington.

That petition contained 25,790 verified Arlington voters' signatures, which was more than the 22,000 required to bring about a special election.

The move seeks to "legalize the sale of all alcoholic beverages including mixed beverages within the City," meaning that, if approved, Arlington would be "wet" for alcohol sales other than beer and wine.

The City Council certified the petition and called the special election using the petition's wording, officials said.

"That's the way it was presented to the City and that's the way the election will be," said Assistant City Attorney David Barber.

The Texas Rangers have supported the measure, contributing money toward a political action committee called KA$H, or Keep Arlington's dollars Here, that backs the effort, according to documents filed with the City.

Although approval of the local option election item would allow ballpark patrons more places to consume wine, it also would mean that Arlington would join neighboring Dalworthington Gardens, Fort Worth and Pantego as places where liquor stores could open. Those cities take in sales tax revenue from alcohol sales.

Arlington voters in 2005 approved a measure to allow wine sales at convenience stores and groceries. Voters also approved a 2011 proposition to allow some South Arlington restaurants to begin selling alcoholic drinks without a private club membership.

The two Arlington professional sports venues-the ballpark and AT&T Stadium- currently have permits from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission to sell various types of alcohol.

The ballpark permits allow sales of beer, wine and mixed beverages at clubs, restaurants and suites. Another allows for beer sales inside the ballpark. A temporary permit allows the sale of wine on certain levels to drink in certain areas.

Mixed beverages may be sold throughout AT&T Stadium with its permit.

While the alcohol sales issue is up to voters, state law does dictate that cities and counties can limit locations where that alcohol is sold.

If the measure is approved, liquor stores would be allowed to operate in industrial and retail-zoned areas of Arlington as long as they are at least 100 feet from public or private schools, hospitals, day cares or churches.

The City Council could vote to extend those setbacks to 300 feet, according to the Texas Alcoholic Beverage code. The distance between a liquor store and school could be set at 1,000 feet if a public school district board of trustees or a private school governing body requests it.

Early voting for the Nov. 5 election will be held: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Oct. 21-25; 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Oct. 26; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Oct. 27 and 7 a.m. to 7 pm., Oct. 28-Nov. 1.