PALMETTO STATE PROHIBITS SALE OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ON ELECTION DAY
On a day that many South Carolinians will find themselves reaching for an adult beverage (for one reason or another) .. they won’t be able to buy one.
Why not? Blame those killjoy Baptists …
Thanks to the enduring political clout of these Bible Thumpers, South Carolina is the only state in America that still imposes a dusk-till-dawn ban on Election Day alcohol sales. Kentucky also bans Election Day alcohol sales – but only through 6:00 p.m. Similar prohibition laws were in place during the last election in five other states – Delaware, Idaho, Indiana, Utah and West Virginia – but those measures have since been repealed.
Once again South Carolina is behind the times – and acting in a manner inconsistent with the economic interests and individual liberties of its citizens.
And for what? To preserve our citizens’ “moral character?”
Based on our abnormally high level of public corruption that’s clearly not something our leaders need to be lecturing us about.
South Carolina should do away with this law. In addition to being an unreasonable imposition on liberty it is also an unnecessary infringement on commerce … not to mention another unfortunate reminder to the rest of the nation just how ass backward our state remains.
Pic: BigStock
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34 comments
It could be worse. We could have a Mormon president banning the consumption of caffeine, thus closing our beloved Starbucks on such occasions. #talesfromtheplanetkolob
Daddy says you’re not allowed to drown your sorrows when the “advance auction sale of stolen goods” is going on.
Now pay attention, it’s for your own good, Daddy says so and knows what’s best for you. You can cry about your choice afterwards, you just can’t self medicate without advance planning.
This one caught my eye. I started looking all over the place. I think this is just liquor, but I’m not sure. Can anyone verify this? Thanks.
Have a Great Day!! :)
Frank Pytel
It is just the ABC stores. You can buy beer/wine.
Jake Knotts started winking his butthole at me, so I mistakenly voted for him.That’s kinda like ‘intimidation’…
I sure picked a bad day to fall off the wagon..;Cheers,ya’ll!
YUK!
politicians used to give free alcohol if you voted for them.
So its actually not because of Baptists..but rather because of our political culture.
Can someone cite the statute(s) in question?
SECTION 61-6-4160. Sunday sales; election day.
It is unlawful to sell alcoholic liquors on Sunday except as authorized by law, on statewide election days, or during periods proclaimed by the Governor in the interest of law and order or public morals and decorum. Full authority to proclaim these periods is conferred upon the Governor in addition to all his other powers. A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction…
http://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t61c006.php
I stocked up early, to cover either result-
1) Romney wins- Early Times 354 Bourbon – to celebrate victory
2) Obama wins- Myers Rum Original Dark – to get stinking drunk
I’d expect Utah to do something like that.
you know, you can actually get quite drunk in the airport in Salt Lake City so always stay close by. The cabbies are used to doing the alcohol shuttle. Sucks going through scanners, etc just to get a cocktail or 4
The historic reason for the ban is not religious. The blue collar and negro vote was typically bought with a pint bottle. As election day was mid-week, this created a terrible drain on labor the following day.
A whole pint? Surely you jest!
The Negro vote can still be bought with SNAP coupons. I say let them eat cake!
Kiss my killjoy Baptist button Will. Baptists could care less about your drinking on polling day or any other day for that matter.
%fd$@#3 Kindle! Make that “…Kiss my killjoy Baptist butt …”
My grandfather is a Baptist pastor. Drinking will send you to Hell, dude. So will playing the lottery and voting Democrat.
The voting Democrat part might be a down elevator button but most Baptists have read 1st Timothy 5:23 and know that only fermented wine can burst a wine skin.
“The Colonel” smokes dope.
Here’s the statute:
“SECTION 61-6-4160. Sunday sales; election day. [SC ST SEC 61-6-4160]
It is unlawful to sell alcoholic liquors on Sunday except as authorized by law, on statewide election days, or during periods proclaimed by the Governor in the interest of law and order or public morals and decorum. Full authority to proclaim these periods is conferred upon the Governor in addition to all his other powers. A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be punished as follows:
(a) for a first offense, by a fine of two hundred dollars or imprisonment for sixty days;
(b) for a second offense, by a fine of one thousand dollars or imprisonment for one year; and
(c) for a third or subsequent offense, by a fine of two thousand dollars or imprisonment for two years.”
Notice it says alcoholic liquors. Beer and wine contain alcohol, but are not liquors, so I’m assuming beer and wine are not included in this antiquated POS law.
Momma called- she says that the ban on liquor was also to keep the poll workers sober. That’s why she quit because she wasn’t allowed to keep her “cough syrup” handy. One reason was that 67% of the voters in the precinct were extended family, and you know how that goes.
Also banned were (in addition to guns, knives, knuckle-busters and chains) were hob-nailed boots and any farm implement you could carry in your hand. There was plenty of time during the week for that kind of fun.
Uh Hmmm, what self respecting Southerner who chooses to partake doesn’t have a cabinet stocked and ready. Who knows when one might have some “company” stop by.
I don’t usually drink liquor, but when I do, I have…
…FILL IN THE BLANK PLEASE…
George Dickel
I just got drunk (oops married) and shot bottle rockets at my guests. It was a great party.
It’s also fun to shoot bottle rockets at a hornet’s nest.
Cost my wife a days pay. Assholes.
Will, you dumbass – beer is not “an alcoholic liquor.” I just picked up a PBR for watching the election returns …
a case of PBR
PBR – Perfect Beer for Rednecks
A couple of natty lite ice did well this evening. Can’t handle the natty daddy’s.
Actually I always heard this law was passed to keep people running for office from bribing voters with a alcoholic beverage before they went into the polls :P
… “It’s a great day in South Carolina”; unless, you own a liquor store.
What other retail establishments have mandated open/close hours, operating days of the week, an unfair public comment waiting period (in which only competitors make comments), and elaborate restrictions to address market saturation?
Liquor stores are taxed (feds), taxed (state) and taxed (local). They pass undue scruitiny and are told when, where and at what times to operate.
Thanks for the “FREE MARKET” [fake] Conservatives.
Kind regards,
a Consumer, not a Business Owner.
You can buy adult beverages on election day. Just not hard liquor