Your Voice, Your Vote: A Guide to Local Option Questions This Election Day

COLUMBUS, Ohio - As Ohioans prepare to head to the polls tomorrow, May 5, for Election Day, the Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Liquor Control is highlighting liquor-related ballot questions voters might encounter as part of the local option election process. It's important for voters to understand the terminology used in these questions so they can make informed decisions they believe best serve their community.

Local option elections give registered voters the opportunity to decide whether alcohol sales or consumption will be allowed within a specific area in their precinct. For example, these ballots may define which types of alcohol can be sold or consumed at specific location, or the days in which consumption would be permitted.

"We encourage every eligible voter to take a moment to review their ballot before they head to the polls so they understand the various issues they'll be voting on, including local option questions," Division Superintendent Jackie DeGenova said. "When Ohioans understand the questions on their ballot and engage in these decisions, they help ensure alcohol sales and consumption in their precinct reflect the needs and priorities of their community."

The local option election system dates back to the repeal of Prohibition in 1933 and was created to ensure that liquor sales and consumption remained orderly, competitive, and aligned with the values of Ohioans within a precinct. Key elements of this regulatory framework include permit quotas, local government objection rights, the three-tier system of manufacturers, distributors, and retailers, and wet/dry local option election laws.

Liquor permits outline how alcohol may be sold, including whether sales are for carry-out or on-premises consumption. For some permits, the area must be "wet" for specific types of alcohol (such as beer, wine, or spirits) to be sold. On the other hand, areas where alcohol sales are not allowed are considered "dry." When a precinct is dry, a business may place a question on the ballot asking voters to approve alcohol sales either for the entire precinct or for that specific location.

A local option question appears on the ballot after a business submits the required documentation and identifies which specific questions should go before voters. Some examples of questions voters may see include:

• Shall the sale of spirituous liquors by the glass be permitted in this precinct?
• Shall the sale of wine and mixed beverages by the package, under permits which authorize sale for off-premises consumption only, be permitted in this precinct?
• Shall the sale of beer, wine and mixed beverages, or spirituous liquor be permitted by an applicant for a D-5 liquor permit, who is engaged in the business of a restaurant at a specific address in this precinct?
• Shall the sale of intoxicating liquor, of the same types as may be legally sold in this precinct on other days of the week, be permitted in this precinct for consumption on the premises where sold on Sunday?

Due to the complexity of local option elections, an experienced liquor attorney is always recommended for businesses or localities when navigating the ballot process. To learn more about local option election laws, visit com.ohio.gov/LocalOption.

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About the Division of Liquor Control
The Division of Liquor Control is part of the Ohio Department of Commerce. The department is Ohio's chief regulatory agency, focused on promoting prosperity and protecting what matters most to Ohioans. We ensure businesses follow the laws that help them create jobs and keep Ohioans safe. To learn more about what we do, visit our website at com.ohio.gov.