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Loosened election day alcohol ban sought
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Posted on Jun 23 2008
Election Day drinking will be allowed at major tourist-oriented areas under a bill now before the House of Representatives.
Rep. Rosemond B. Santos has introduced legislation to exempt major hotels and golf course resorts from the alcohol ban that is implemented every election day. A hotel must have at least 250 rooms to qualify for the exemption.
Under existing law, an alcohol ban is put into effect every election day, while the polling places are open from 7am to 7pm. Anyone caught selling or buying liquor could be fined up to $1,000 or sent to jail for up to 100 days in prison, or both.
Santos noted that the alcohol ban is designed to prevent conflicts from escalating between party camps during elections. She said that tourists visiting the Commonwealth on election day should not be restricted from buying alcoholic beverage, as they are not involved with local political affairs.
She added that the ban deprives the tourism industry of much needed revenue. “This is an industry that the CNMI has been largely dependent on for its economic growth for the past 30 years. Thus, our tourists’ visit within the CNMI should not be hampered in any way,” she said.
The bill does not specify whether alcohol sales on election day would be limited to tourists.
