Why do some states not allow alcohol sales on Election Day? This is when we need it most.

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The only states that still cling to statewide Election Day sales bans of alcohol at restaurants, bars and package stores are Kentucky, Indiana and South Carolina. Utah and West Virginia still ban the sale of alcohol at package stores on Election Day. Alaska and Massachusetts also ban Election Day alcohol sales, except that local governments are authorized to provide an exemption from the ban.

"The Election Day sales ban is a ridiculous relic of the Prohibition era when saloons sometimes served as polling stations," said DISCUS Vice President David Wojnar, whose organization has aggressively supported rolling back Blue Laws in states across the country. "Repealing the 1930's ban on Election Day alcohol sales would provide adult consumers with much-needed convenience -- whether they're celebrating election returns or mourning them."

Three More States Repealed Bans in 2008

Wojnar pointed out that Delaware, Idaho and Utah all relaxed Election Day sales bans earlier this year -- the latest in a nationwide trend of states modernizing their alcohol laws. Utah, which still bans package store sales on Election Day, now allows Election Day sales at restaurants and private clubs.

"Blue Laws make absolutely no sense in a modern economy," Wojnar said. "If legislators want to boost tourism and help small businesses in the state they need to start by repealing these silly Prohibition-era restrictions."

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