When Kentucky Voters Can Buy Beer: Election Day Sales Start Time

Kentucky has repealed a Prohibition-era ban on Election Day alcohol sales. Governor Steve Beshear signed into law a bill repealing America’s strictest ban on Election Day alcohol sales, according to the Distilled Spirits Council. Section 111.10 of the Hopkinsville Code of Ordinances has been amended to allow alcohol sales on election day during the hours polls are open for voting. The sale of alcoholic beverages and malt beverages may take place between the hours of 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. of the following day.

When did Kentucky repeal the Election Day alcohol sales ban?

Kentucky repealed the Election Day alcohol sales ban in 2016. Until recently, the only other states still clinging to similarly antiquated prohibition-esque laws were Indiana and South Carolina. The Election Day sales ban is a relic from a bygone era when saloons sometimes served as polling stations. The ban was repealed in 2016 by KRS §244.290, which took effect on July 15, 2016. Governor Steve Beshear signed into law a bill repealing America’s strictest ban on Election Day alcohol sales. The trade body called Kentucky’s modernisation the "latest in a trend of states updating antiquated liquor laws". The new law allows a retailer to sell alcohol during the hours the polls are open on a primary, or regular, local option, or special election day across Kentucky.

What is the Kentucky Election Day alcohol sales law?

In 2013, the Kentucky General Assembly gave final approval to repeal the Election Day alcohol sales ban. The bill was sponsored by Sen. John Schickel, R-Union, and allows a retailer to sell alcohol during the hours the polls are open on a primary, or regular, local option, or special election day across Kentucky. The new law takes effect on June 24. The only other state that did not allow alcohol sales while the polls were open was South Carolina. That changed the following year. According to KRS 244.290, authorized sellers "shall be permitted to sell and deliver distilled spirits and wine during the hours the polls are open on any primary, or regular, local option, or special election day."

The Election Day sales ban is a relic from a bygone era when saloons sometimes served as polling stations. Repealing the Election Day sales ban will increase revenues—benefitting the state, counties, and cities. Repealing these silly Prohibition-era restrictions is a great way for legislators to boost tourism and help small businesses around the state, said Jay Hibbard, DISC vice president. Hibbard pointed out that Kentucky is now the sixth state since 2008 to repeal a ban on Election Day alcohol sales. The five other states include West Virginia (2011), Indiana (2010), Utah (2009), Idaho (2008) and Delaware (2008). South Carolina remains the only state in the country which clings to statewide Election Day sales bans of alcohol at restaurants, bars and package stores.

The bill does have a provision for communities that want to continue the ban. This law will allow election day sales, but it also allows for a local option if people don’t want it, said Schickel. Chris Schreck says he’ll welcome an uptick in election day business. His family’s store, Shreck’s Baxter Liquors in Louisville, has been around since 1936, almost as long as Kentucky’s election day sales ban. We usually do about half the business (on Election Day) and they’re usually lined up at the door right when the election’s over, he said. Hopkinsville Alcohol Beverage Control Officer Robert Martin reminds alcohol sales establishments and citizens Section 111.10 of the Hopkinsville Code of Ordinances has been amended to allow alcohol sales on election day during the hours polls are open for voting. The sale of alcoholic beverages and malt beverages may take place between the hours of 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. of the following day.

When does the Election Day alcohol sales law take effect?

Kentucky's Election Day alcohol sales ban was repealed in 2013. The Kentucky General Assembly gave final approval to the bill in 2013, and Governor Steve Beshear signed it into law. Section 111.10 of the Hopkinsville Code of Ordinances has been amended to allow alcohol sales on election day during the hours polls are open for voting. The sale of alcoholic beverages and malt beverages may take place between the hours of 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. of the following day.

The new law takes effect on June 24. Sen. John Schickel, R-Union, sponsored Senate Bill 13, which allows a retailer to sell alcohol during the hours the polls are open on a primary, or regular, local option, or special election day across Kentucky. Hibbard pointed out that Kentucky is now the sixth state since 2008 to repeal a ban on Election Day alcohol sales. The five other states include West Virginia (2011), Indiana (2010), Utah (2009), Idaho (2008) and Delaware (2008). South Carolina remains the only state in the country which clings to statewide Election Day sales bans of alcohol at restaurants, bars and package stores.

According to KRS 244.290, authorized sellers "shall be permitted to sell and deliver distilled spirits and wine during the hours the polls are open on any primary, or regular, local option, or special election day." Hibbard said: “The Election Day sales ban is a relic from a bygone era when saloons sometimes served as polling stations. Repealing these silly Prohibition-era restrictions is a great way for legislators to boost tourism and help small businesses around the state,” Hibbard concluded. Schickel, a Republican from Union whose career was in law enforcement, said he's never heard complaints about voters showing up drunk at the polls. His bill does have a provision for communities that want to continue the ban. Chris Schreck says he’ll welcome an uptick in election day business. His family’s store, Shreck’s Baxter Liquors in Louisville, has been around since 1936, almost as long as Kentucky’s election day sales ban.

How does the Election Day alcohol sales law work?

Kentucky banned alcohol sales on election day until 2013. The Kentucky General Assembly gave final approval to the bill repealing the ban in 2013. The trade body Distilled Spirits Council called Kentucky's modernisation the "latest in a trend of states updating antiquated liquor laws". The new law takes effect on June 24 and allows a retailer to sell alcohol during the hours the polls are open on a primary, or regular, local option, or special election day across Kentucky. The sale of alcoholic beverages and malt beverages may take place between the hours of 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. of the following day. South Carolina remains the only state in the country which clings to statewide Election Day sales bans of alcohol at restaurants, bars and package stores.

What are the benefits of the Election Day alcohol sales law?

The Kentucky General Assembly gave final approval to the bill in 2013, which repealed the Election Day sales ban. The only other state that did not allow alcohol sales while the polls were open was South Carolina, which changed the following year.

The trade body, the Distilled Spirits Council, called Kentucky's modernisation the "latest in a trend of states updating antiquated liquor laws". Repealing the Election Day sales ban will increase revenues—benefitting the state, counties and cities. Hibbard pointed out that Kentucky is now the sixth state since 2008 to repeal a ban on Election Day alcohol sales. The five other states include West Virginia (2011), Indiana (2010), Utah (2009), Idaho (2008) and Delaware (2008). South Carolina remains the only state in the country which clings to statewide Election Day sales bans of alcohol at restaurants, bars and package stores.

Hibbard concluded that repealing these silly Prohibition-era restrictions is a great way for legislators to boost tourism and help small businesses around the state. Schickel, a Republican from Union whose career was in law enforcement, said he's never heard complaints about voters showing up drunk at the polls. His bill does have a provision for communities that want to continue the ban. Chris Schreck says he’ll welcome an uptick in election day business. His family’s store, Shreck’s Baxter Liquors in Louisville, has been around since 1936, almost as long as Kentucky’s election day sales ban.

The new law takes effect on June 24. Section 111.10 of the Hopkinsville Code of Ordinances has been amended to allow alcohol sales on election day during the hours polls are open for voting. The sale of alcoholic beverages and malt beverages may take place between the hours of 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. of the following day.

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