Beer Buying On Election Day In New Mexico

In the United States, an old law banned citizens from buying alcohol on election days. While most states have repealed this law, some parts of the country still have these dry laws in place. So, can you buy beer on election day in New Mexico?

New Mexico allows beer sales on Election Day

The change came about when a bill to end the prohibition on liquor sales was signed into law by Gov. Gary Johnson in 1999. This bill allowed voters in New Mexico to purchase alcoholic beverages to accompany their viewing of election results, whether in celebration or consolation.

The recent changes to New Mexico liquor laws have provided expanded service on days that were historically restricted from alcohol sales, including Election Day. Currently, there are no restrictions in terms of hours of operation for restaurants, which can serve alcohol from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m., seven days a week. Package sales are allowed from 7 a.m. to midnight.

While New Mexico has relaxed its liquor laws, it is worth noting that it is still a petty misdemeanor for any member of the precinct board to possess or use alcohol while performing official duties on Election Day. Additionally, precinct board members cannot carry alcoholic beverages within 200 feet of a polling place during an election.

Beer sales were prohibited on Election Day in New Mexico until 1999

Beer sales, along with the sale of other alcoholic beverages, were prohibited on Election Day in New Mexico until 1999. The law banning liquor sales on Election Day was repealed on July 1, 1999, when the Legislature passed a bill to that effect, which was signed into law by then-Gov. Gary Johnson.

The origins of the ban on alcohol sales on Election Day in the United States date back to the pre-Prohibition era, when political candidates would try to get people to vote for their candidate by offering them alcohol or simply providing it to undecided voters during the campaign season. Even George Washington was allegedly guilty of this practice.

After the 21st Amendment passed in 1933, and alcohol was once again legalized in the United States, most states continued to ban the sale of alcohol on Election Day. Maryland was the first state to implement such a ban in 1811, and by the time Prohibition was repealed, several other states had followed suit.

Over the years, most states repealed their Election Day alcohol bans, and by June 2014, when South Carolina became the last mainland state to officially roll back its ban, the practice of prohibiting alcohol sales on Election Day had largely become a thing of the past in the contiguous United States.

As of 2023, only certain parts of Alaska, Puerto Rico, and some jurisdictions in Massachusetts still have Election Day dry laws in place. However, in many other countries, particularly in Latin America, dry laws or "leyes secas" are still enforced during elections.

Beer sales are allowed in restaurants from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m

In New Mexico, voters can buy beer and liquor on Election Day. This has been the case for nearly two decades, since a law passed by the Legislature ended the ban on July 1, 1999. Before this date, buying alcohol—either in bars or at package liquor stores—was prohibited during election days, including both primaries and general elections.

While liquor sales are allowed in New Mexico on Election Day, there are still some restrictions in place. It is a petty misdemeanor for any member of the precinct board to possess or use alcohol while performing official duties on election day. Precinct board members also cannot carry alcoholic beverages within 200 feet of a polling place during an election.

In terms of the hours of operation for restaurants in New Mexico, the law allows for the following hours for serving and consumption of alcohol: 7 a.m. to 2 a.m., seven days a week, and 7 a.m. to midnight for package sales. The only hour restrictions are for the new A & B licenses, which must stop serving at 11 p.m. or when the kitchen stops serving, whichever is earlier.

So, if you're in New Mexico and craving a beer while watching the election results come in, you're in luck! Just remember to drink responsibly and be mindful of any local restrictions or laws.

Beer sales are allowed in packages from 7 a.m. to midnight

In New Mexico, beer sales in packages are allowed from 7 a.m. to midnight on Election Day. This is because there are currently no Election Day restrictions in terms of hours of operation for alcohol sales.

This wasn't always the case, as older voters may remember a time when liquor sales on Election Day were prohibited while the polls were open. Before July 1, 1999, buying alcohol—either in bars or at package liquor stores—was banned during election days, including both primaries and general elections.

However, on July 1, 1999, a law passed by the Legislature ended the ban on liquor sales on Election Day in New Mexico. This change allowed voters to purchase alcoholic beverages to accompany their viewing of election results, whether in celebration or consolation.

While New Mexico has lifted the ban on Election Day alcohol sales, it is important to note that restrictions on Christmas Day liquor sales are still in place. Additionally, it is a petty misdemeanor for any member of the precinct board to possess or use alcohol while performing official duties on Election Day, and they are prohibited from carrying alcoholic beverages within 200 feet of a polling place.

Beer sales are restricted in certain US states and Latin American countries

In Latin America, several countries continue to enforce strict restrictions on Election Day alcohol sales, including Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela.

In New Mexico, there are currently no restrictions on liquor sales on Christmas, Election Day, or Sundays in terms of hours of operation. For restaurants, the law allows serving and consumption of alcohol from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m., seven days a week, and 7 a.m. to midnight for package sales.

While beer sales may be restricted in certain US states and Latin American countries, the specific laws and regulations vary depending on the location.

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