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Lawmakers OK exemption to alcohol ban during elections
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Posted on Oct 17 2008
The Legislature has passed a bill exempting major tourist establishments from the alcohol ban during elections.
The Senate yesterday voted 8-0, with one abstention, to approve the legislation, which would lift the prohibition on drinking and selling alcohol during elections for the local airports, hotels and golf course resorts. The bill, which cleared the House previously, will become law once signed by the governor.
Under existing law, an alcohol ban is put into effect from 7am to 7pm—while polling places are open—on the day of an election. 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.
The proposed amendment, sponsored by Rep. Rosemond Santos, will lift the alcohol ban for major tourist-oriented places. The bill notes that the alcohol ban is designed to prevent conflicts from escalating between party camps during elections. However, it argues, tourists visiting the Commonwealth during an election should not be restricted from buying alcoholic beverage, as they are not involved with local political affairs.
The bill also says 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,” states the legislation.
