Historically, Bellevue has been a dry town. No neighborhood bars where friends can gather to tip a few frosties and talk over the triumphs or travails of the day. No restaurants where diners may sip a pre-dinner whiskey sour.

For decades, though, proponents of change have attempted to revoke that dry status by proposing referendums that would allow liquor licenses in Bellevue. This year's election once again puts the issue on the May 17 ballot, with those voters who prefer maintaining the status quo vying against those who feel that it is time to change.