LAS CRUCES, N.M. -- A Dona Ana County special election wrapped up Tuesday night, and turnout was not high.

Bureau of Elections supervisor Mario Jiminez said 1,336 voters cast ballots. Thirty-three people had cast provisional ballots. 1128 said yes. 208 said no.

A majority of residents said they were in favor of permitting restaurants to apply for beer and wine licenses in the unincorporated areas of the county.

A week before the election, early voters only cast about 350 votes. The numbers were not much better on Election Day.

“I was kind of confused whether I could vote or not. Now that I was told I could, I'm going to go and vote,” said Sandra Miles of Dona Ana.

Miles said she didn't know about the election until Tuesday morning and wasn't sure whether she lived in an unincorporated area, but she said she planned to vote yes.

“I think it's good for those restaurants to be able to have those to bring in income,” she said.

County Clerk Lynn Ellins said it's been some time since an election was held in only the unincorporated areas of the county. Fewer than 40,000 people were eligible to cast a ballot.

Ellins told KFOX the election would cost more than $38,000 for materials and other expenses. But not everyone thinks the county should have spent that much money.

“We have 27 consolidated precincts and we have to pay poll workers at each location. Each of the consolidated precincts cost us $550.

“If it's something that nobody cares about I think it is a waste of money for our taxpayers,” said Cecilia Sidwell of Las Cruces, who was not eligible to vote in this election.

KFOX found one polling location had 11 voters by 2 p.m. and another that had zero voters by 3 p.m.

A restaurant owner said the poor economy was hurting his business. He feels a beer and wine permit could make his business more attractive, but residents think there is no guarantee.

“If you can't afford to go eat dinner what makes them positive that getting beer is going to make you be able to afford going to dinner with paying costs of liquor which is really pricey at restaurants,” Sidwell said.