Beer Buying On Voting Day: What's Allowed?

If you're planning on buying beer tomorrow on midterm voting day, you may want to check your local laws. While it is now legal to purchase alcohol on election day in most parts of the United States, there are still some states and jurisdictions that maintain restrictions. As of 2023, only certain parts of Puerto Rico, Alaska, and Massachusetts have Election Day dry laws in place. Historically, many states prohibited the sale of alcohol on Election Day to prevent candidates from using it to influence voters. However, most states have since repealed these laws, with South Carolina being the last mainland state to officially roll back its Election Day alcohol ban in 2014.

In the US, Election Day alcohol restrictions have been lifted since 2014

In the US, citizens' ability to buy alcohol on Election Day has varied historically. While there is currently no nationwide ban on alcohol sales during voting or counting periods, this has not always been the case.

The roots of polling day prohibition can be traced back to the pre-Prohibition era, when political candidates supplied free-flowing alcohol to influence undecided voters. In response, several states started mandating that liquor stores close down and that retailers refrain from selling liquor on Election Day. Maryland was the first US state to establish an Election Day alcohol ban in 1811, and many other states followed suit.

However, over the years, most states repealed these laws. In June 2014, South Carolina became the last mainland US state to lift the restriction, joining the rest of the contiguous United States in allowing citizens to purchase alcohol at restaurants, stores, and bars on polling days. Since then, there have been no Election Day alcohol restrictions in the contiguous United States.

As of 2023, only certain parts of Alaska, Puerto Rico, and some jurisdictions in Massachusetts have Election Day dry laws in place. Therefore, if you live in the US outside of these places, you can buy beer on Election Day.

Parts of Puerto Rico and Alaska still have Election Day alcohol restrictions

In the United States, there are no federal laws prohibiting the sale of alcohol on Election Day. However, some states have historically imposed restrictions on alcohol sales during elections. As of 2023, only certain parts of Puerto Rico, specific jurisdictions in Alaska, and some areas of Massachusetts have Election Day dry laws in place. These laws vary in their specifics, but they generally prohibit the sale of alcohol on Election Day.

The history of Election Day alcohol restrictions in the United States dates back to the pre-Prohibition era. Maryland was the first state to implement such a ban in 1811, and other states followed suit. The reasoning behind these bans was to prevent political candidates from providing free-flowing liquor to influence undecided voters. Interestingly, even George Washington was alleged to have used alcohol to persuade voters during his campaigns.

After the 21st Amendment passed in 1933, ending the Prohibition era, most states continued to impose some form of alcohol control on Election Day. Over time, however, public opinion shifted, and many states repealed these restrictions. South Carolina was the last mainland state to officially revoke its Election Day alcohol ban in June 2014.

While Election Day dry laws are no longer widespread across the United States, it's important for residents of Puerto Rico, Alaska, and Massachusetts to be aware of the specific regulations in their respective areas. Checking with local authorities or establishments is advisable before making plans to purchase or consume alcohol on Election Day in these regions.

In Latin America, dry laws are still enforced in several countries

In Argentina, the laws come into effect at 8 p.m. the night before voters hit the polls (always a Saturday), and last until 9 p.m. on Election Sunday. In Peru, election weekend prohibition lasts even longer, starting at 8 a.m. on Saturday morning and continuing for a total of 48 hours. Ecuador’s 72-hour alcohol ban has historically proven to be too much for some drinkers: On Friday, Oct. 18, 2002, 857 drinkers were reportedly detained for “violating the law that bars the sale and consumption of alcohol during elections.”

In the Dominican Republic, the dry law will come into force before citizens go to the polls. This year, prohibition started from 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 18 and continued until 5:00 a.m. on Monday, May 20.

As of January 2023, only parts of Puerto Rico, certain Alaskan jurisdictions, and certain parts of Massachusetts, have Election Day dry laws in place in the United States.

Alcohol sales soar on election day, providing a boost to local stores

Alcohol sales historically soar on election day, providing a boost to local stores. In the US, this phenomenon is linked to the end of the chaotic campaigning period, with voters celebrating the wins or mourning the losses of their favourite candidates. For many, it is also a way to deal with the stress of the election.

This boost in sales is especially significant considering that alcohol sales were banned on election days in the US until recently. The roots of this prohibition lie in the era before the Prohibition, when candidates would try to get undecided voters drunk to influence their votes. Banning alcohol sales was thus a way to police the candidates rather than the citizens. Maryland was the first state to implement this ban in 1811, and by the time the 21st Amendment passed in 1933, most states had imposed some form of alcohol control on election days.

Over the years, however, these laws have been repealed across the US. South Carolina was the last mainland state to officially roll back the ban in 2014. As of 2024, only certain parts of Alaska, Puerto Rico, and Massachusetts have Election Day dry laws in place.

While alcohol sales are now legal in most of the US on election days, many Latin American countries still enforce strict "dry laws" during their election periods. These laws prohibit the sale and public consumption of alcohol before, during, and after elections.

Bars and restaurants often offer deals to those who show off their voting stickers

In the United States, it is illegal to offer rewards of any kind for voting when federal candidates are on the ballot. The Federal Election Commission has outlawed such "giveaways" since 1948. However, several brands throughout the country have found loopholes to incentivize citizens to fulfill their civic duties. Smaller and local businesses are less likely to be noticed by the federal government and thus less likely to face repercussions. Other eateries have skirted the law by changing the wording used in relation to their giveaways. Several advertise deals for those "wearing a sticker", leaving out the implied "I Voted" sticker type and thereby avoiding penalties.

• Home Slice Pizza offered to "swap" customers' "I voted" stickers for a free slice of pizza.
• Mochinut offered a free donut to anyone with an "I Voted" sticker.
• Amy's Ice Creams offered a free topping or 'crush'n' treat to those who brought an "I voted" sticker to any location.
• Soup Peddler offered free coffee to anyone with an "I Voted" sticker.
• Shake Shack offered free fries with purchase to customers who used the code "ivoted" on the Shack app or showed an "I Voted" sticker while ordering.
• Joe's Bakery & Coffee Shop offered $2 off meals to customers who brought their "I Voted" stickers.
• Kerbey Lane Cafe offered free pancakes to customers who came to any location with an "I Voted" sticker on Election Day.
• Austin Beerworks offered a free beer to anyone 21 or older who brought their "I Voted" sticker to either of their locations on Election Day.
• St. Elmo Brewing Company offered $1 off a coffee, beer, or Hop Water to voters who brought in their "I Voted" stickers.
• Cody's Public House in Lakeview offered a free custom Cody's sticker and specials like $3 Hamms, $3 PBR, $3 Old Style tall boys, and $5 Malort to guests who showed their "I Voted" sticker.
• Four Entertainment Group offered $1 off drinks to guests who showed their "I Voted" sticker at any of their seven bar locations.
• Bodega Taqueria y Tequila offered a free draft (margarita or beer) to anyone who showed their "I Voted" sticker at either of their locations.

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