Buying Beer On Election Day In New Mexico

In the United States, there was a time when a law banned citizens from buying alcohol on Election Day. However, this law has been repealed in most states. In New Mexico, liquor sales are allowed on Election Day and have been for nearly two decades. This change came into effect on July 1, 1999, when a law passed by the Legislature ended the ban. Today, voters in New Mexico can purchase alcoholic beverages on Election Day, whether to celebrate or to cope with the stress of waiting for election results.

Beer and liquor can be bought on Election Day in New Mexico

If you're in New Mexico and are planning to celebrate or mourn election results with beer or liquor, you're in luck. Voters in New Mexico are allowed to buy beer and liquor on Election Day. In fact, this has been allowed in the state for nearly two decades.

Before July 1, 1999, buying alcohol—either in bars or at liquor stores—was prohibited in New Mexico during election days. This included both primaries and general elections. However, a law passed by the Legislature ended this prohibition.

While voters in New Mexico can now buy alcoholic beverages on Election Day, 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 are also not allowed to carry alcoholic beverages within 200 feet of a polling place during an election.

While New Mexico has repealed its Election Day alcohol ban, there are still some places in the U.S. that have dry laws in place for Election Day. As of January 2023, certain parts of Puerto Rico, certain Alaskan jurisdictions, and certain parts of Massachusetts have Election Day dry laws. Outside of these places, alcohol can be purchased on Election Day.

Buying alcohol on Election Day was banned in the past

In the past, buying alcohol on Election Day was banned in several parts of the United States. This prohibition was enforced by certain states, including New Mexico, which prohibited the sale of liquor on Election Day until July 1, 1999. The ban included both primary and general elections and applied to bars and package liquor locations.

The history of Election Day alcohol prohibition dates back to the pre-Prohibition era, when political candidates would provide free-flowing liquor to influence undecided voters. This practice led to the implementation of dry laws, which mandated the closure of liquor stores and retailers on Election Day. Maryland was the first state to establish such a ban in 1811, and other states followed suit.

Over time, most states repealed these laws, recognizing their outdated nature. However, as of 2023, certain parts of the United States, including Puerto Rico, specific jurisdictions in Alaska, and some areas of Massachusetts, still had Election Day dry laws in place.

The repeal of these laws allows voters to celebrate or commiserate with alcoholic beverages while watching election results. It also ensures that businesses, such as bars and liquor stores, can remain open and operational on Election Day, providing a boost to local economies.

While the sale of alcohol on Election Day is now permitted in most places, there are still some restrictions in place. For example, members of the precinct board in New Mexico are prohibited from possessing or using alcohol while performing their official duties on Election Day, and they cannot carry alcoholic beverages within 200 feet of a polling place.

Alcohol sales are allowed during voting hours

If you're in New Mexico and are looking to buy beer or liquor on Election Day, you're in luck! Alcohol sales are allowed during voting hours in the state, and have been for nearly two decades.

This wasn't always the case, though. Before July 1, 1999, buying alcohol in New Mexico, either in bars or at package liquor stores, was prohibited during election days, including both primaries and general elections. However, a law passed by the Legislature ended this ban, and now voters in the state can purchase alcoholic beverages to enjoy while watching the election results come in.

It's worth noting that there are still some restrictions in place. It is considered a petty misdemeanor for any member of the precinct board to possess or use alcohol while performing their official duties on election day. They are also not allowed to carry alcoholic beverages within 200 feet of a polling place during an election.

So, if you're in New Mexico and want to buy beer or liquor on Election Day, you can! Just be mindful of the restrictions in place for members of the precinct board.

Cheers to a successful and peaceful election!

Alcohol sales are banned on Christmas Day

In New Mexico, voters can buy and consume alcohol on Election Day. However, it is illegal for members of the precinct board to possess or use alcohol while performing their official duties on election day. They are also not allowed to carry alcoholic beverages within 200 feet of a polling place.

While alcohol sales are allowed on Election Day in New Mexico, the same cannot be said for Christmas Day. Alcohol sales are banned on December 25th in the state, and liquor stores and restaurants are prohibited from selling alcoholic beverages. So, while voters can celebrate or drown their sorrows with a drink on Election Day, Christmas Day is a dry day in New Mexico.

The laws surrounding alcohol sales on specific days vary across the United States. Historically, many states in the US banned alcohol sales on Election Day. This was due to the practice of candidates providing free-flowing liquor to influence undecided voters. While most states have now repealed this law, some parts of Puerto Rico, certain jurisdictions in Alaska, and a few areas of Massachusetts still observe Election Day dry laws.

Outside of the US, several countries in Latin America, including Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico, enforce dry laws during elections. These laws prohibit the sale and public consumption of alcohol before, during, and after elections. For example, in Argentina, the dry law starts at 8 pm on the Saturday before the election and lasts until 9 pm on Election Sunday. In Peru, the election weekend prohibition is even longer, lasting for 48 hours.

Some restaurants offer discounts on drinks to those who voted

In New Mexico, voters can celebrate election results or drown their sorrows with their favourite alcoholic drinks. This is because liquor sales are allowed in the state on Election Day.

While voters can buy alcohol on Election Day, members of the precinct board are prohibited from possessing or using alcohol while performing their official duties on election day. They also cannot carry alcoholic beverages within 200 feet of a polling place during an election.

Although voters in New Mexico can buy alcohol on Election Day, it wasn't always the case. Before July 1, 1999, buying alcohol—either in bars or at liquor stores—was prohibited during election days. This included both primaries and general elections. However, a law passed by the Legislature ended the ban.

While New Mexico does not restrict alcohol sales on Election Day, some restaurants offer discounts on drinks to those who voted. This is often done to incentivize citizens to fulfill their civic duties. For example, in 2020, Chili's offered $5 Presidente Margaritas to those who showed support for the "Marg Party".

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