MURFREESBORO (AP) - Officials in Middle Tennessee have approved a petition that could lead to a vote allowing liquor by the drink in unincorporated parts of Rutherford County and Eagleville.

The Daily News Journal of Murfreesboro (http://on.dnj.com/1Q3C1eT) reports that the Rutherford County Election Commission approved the petition Monday evening by voice vote without opposition.

Rutherford County Elections Administrator Alan Farley says a referendum to approve the sale of liquor by the drink in rural areas of the county could be on the November 2016 ballot if 1,945 residents in rural Rutherford County or Eagleville sign the petition.

Murfreesboro, Smyrna and La Vergne already sell liquor by the drink and packaged liquor within city limits, while Rutherford County sells packaged liquor in unincorporated areas. Four counties in the state allow the sale of liquor by the drink countywide.