|
|
 |
No Election, No Booze Either in Lake County, Indiana
Produced by Michael Puente on Tuesday, November 03, 2009
|
|
Photo by Jeremy Biles |
There are no polls open today in Lake County, Indiana, but alcohol sales are still being restricted.
It’s an Indiana law that dates back to the 19th century: When the polls are open for an election, alcohol sales are prohibited.
There was to have been a special election in Lake County today. It isn't being held, because county officials said they didn't have the money to pay for it.
Still, any place that sells alcohol must wait for 6 p.m., the time the polls would have closed, before the tap can start flowing again.
John Livengood, president of the Indiana Association of Beverage Retailers, says the law should be abolished.
LIVENGOOD: I think it probably dates back to when taverns were probably the only public place in town and it was used as a polling place. There’s no other rationale for it. Of course, we don’t do that anymore and so there’s really no reason to keep it on the books.
But the law remains and the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission is out enforcing it.
|
|