Montana's Election Day: Beer Availability And Voting

Since 2014, when South Carolina became the last mainland US state to repeal its ban, it has been legal to buy alcohol on Election Day across the contiguous United States. However, this hasn't always been the case, with many states previously prohibiting the sale of alcohol on Election Day. So, can you buy beer on election day in Montana?

Alcohol sales on Election Day in Montana are legal

This wasn't always the case. Historically, several states mandated that liquor stores close down and alcohol retailers refrain from selling liquor on Election Day. This was because candidates often used alcohol to persuade undecided voters, with George Washington allegedly guilty of this tactic. Maryland was the first state to establish an Election Day alcohol ban, in 1811, and many other states followed suit.

However, over the years, most states repealed this unusual law. As of 2023, only parts of Puerto Rico, certain jurisdictions in Alaska, and some areas of Massachusetts still have Election Day dry laws in place.

Some US states banned Election Day alcohol sales

In the US, it is now legal to buy alcohol on Election Day. However, this freedom is relatively new, with several states having banned alcohol sales on polling days until 2014.

A Historical Ban

The banning of alcohol sales on Election Day dates back to before the Prohibition era. The law was put in place because candidates would try to get people to vote for them by offering free alcohol or getting them drunk. George Washington is alleged to have been guilty of this.

Maryland was the first US state to establish an Election Day alcohol ban in 1811, and other states followed.

A Change in the Law

Over the years, most states repealed the law. South Carolina was the last mainland state to officially roll it back in June 2014.

As of January 2023, only parts of Puerto Rico, certain jurisdictions in Alaska, and some areas of Massachusetts had Election Day dry laws in place.

A Global Phenomenon

Many countries in Latin America still enforce the law today, including Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela.

Alaska and Puerto Rico still observe dry laws

In the United States, several laws are outdated and require updates. One such regulation that is still active in certain parts of the country is an age-old law that bans US citizens from purchasing alcohol on Election Day. This law, which dates back to the pre-Prohibition era, was enacted to prevent candidates from using alcohol to persuade undecided voters. While most states have since repealed this law, certain parts of Alaska, Puerto Rico, and Massachusetts still observe Election Day dry laws.

Alaska specifically allows local jurisdictions to elect to go dry by public referendum. This means that certain areas of Alaska may choose to prohibit the sale of alcohol on Election Day through a public vote. Similarly, in Puerto Rico, there may be a referendum on Election Day, resulting in a ban on alcohol sales. During the referendum, by law, there is no drinking permitted. Restaurants and hotels can sell alcohol, but only if it is consumed within their premises. No stores can sell alcohol, and drinking in public is prohibited.

The Election Day alcohol ban is a unique aspect of the electoral process in these regions, and it is interesting to see how different states and territories approach this issue. While most states have moved away from this prohibition-era law, Alaska and Puerto Rico continue to include it in their electoral processes, adding a layer of complexity to the voting experience.

The ban dates back to the pre-Prohibition era

The ban on buying beer on election day in certain parts of the US dates back to the pre-Prohibition era. During that time, it was common for saloons to double as polling places, and politicians would try to persuade undecided voters by offering them drinks or getting them inebriated. For instance, George Washington allegedly used alcohol to persuade voters through campaign seasons.

Maryland was the first US state to establish an Election Day alcohol ban in 1811, with several other states following suit. Over the years, most states repealed this unusual law, with South Carolina being the last mainland state to officially roll it back in June 2014.

As of 2023, only certain parts of Puerto Rico, some jurisdictions in Alaska, and certain parts of Massachusetts have Election Day dry laws in place. The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) has aggressively supported rolling back these laws, calling them a "ridiculous relic of the Prohibition era."

While the US has mostly moved away from these pre-Prohibition era bans, several Latin American countries still strictly enforce them, including Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela.

The ban was enforced to prevent voter persuasion

In the United States, it is now legal to buy alcohol on Election Day. However, there was a time when an age-old law banned alcohol sales on this day. This law was enforced to prevent voter persuasion, with candidates attempting to influence undecided voters by offering them drinks or providing alcohol to get them intoxicated before voting. Saloons even doubled as polling places, making it easy for politicians to implement these tactics.

Maryland was the first state to establish an Election Day alcohol ban in 1811, and other states soon followed. Over time, most states repealed this law, recognising its outdated nature and negative impact on consumers and small businesses. The last mainland state to officially repeal the ban was South Carolina in 2014.

Today, only certain parts of Alaska, Puerto Rico, and Massachusetts have Election Day dry laws in place. The rest of the country allows alcohol sales on Election Day, marking a shift away from the historical practice of using alcohol to influence voters' decisions.

While the ban on alcohol sales during elections is no longer widespread in the United States, it is worth noting that similar practices still occur. Candidates often visit breweries or bars to grab a drink with constituents, blurring the lines between socialising and voter persuasion. Additionally, some restaurants and bars offer discounted or free drinks to those who show their 'I voted' stickers, which could be seen as a modern form of voter persuasion or incentive.

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