Pennsylvania lifts its ban on election day drinking

Associated Press

PITTSBURGH — For the first time since before Prohibition, Pennsylvania residents were allowed to drink legally in all taverns on election day.

About 5,000 bars and taverns, nearly a third of the state’s 17,000 liquor license holders, were allowed to open their doors during polling hours on Tuesday after state liquor laws were relaxed earlier this year.

Establishments with at least 30 percent of sales coming from food and nonalcoholic beverages have been allowed to open on election day since 1973. The rest have had to shut their doors.

"This is truly an honor and a privilege," said Dru Durigon, who ordered a draft beer at Brewski’s tavern in Pittsburgh. He then corrected himself: "It is the right of every American to drink on election day."

Election day blue laws, which remain in effect in 14 states, were intended to prevent vote-buying with liquor. Political scientists say the law served a legitimate purpose around 1900.

"There is no question that a lot of elections were won and lost by vote buying before Prohibition, and alcohol was one of the most popular methods," said Michael Young, an associate professor of politics and public affairs at Penn State University.

A ballot receipt was good for a beer at some politically active taverns. There are stories of entire barrooms of patrons being loaded onto trucks after a few drinks and brought to the polls, Young said.

"This subtype of vote buying worked in the 19th century and well into the 20th century, when political machines found they could corral large numbers of voters from the enclaves of new immigrants," he said. "I have to say that today, the beer or the shot is not going to do it."

Liquor Control Board spokeswoman Donna Pinkham said members recognized the law closing taverns for primary and general elections might be antiquated and pushed for a change in the Legislature last year.

Bar owners have been saying for years that laws once intended to prevent vote-buying with booze are just a nuisance.

But managers of some establishments with permits allowing election day alcohol sales lamented the change — and the loss of their competitive edge.

"I am highly disappointed in the news," said Michele Recupidl, general manager of Locust Rendezvous in Philadelphia. "People come here two weeks before Nov. 6 asking if they can get a drink here on election day."

Copyright ©2001 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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