Ohio bill could eliminate need for voter approval to sell liquor on Sundays

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A bipartisan effort at the Ohio Statehouse would permit local governments to allow alcohol sales on Sundays, eliminating their need for local liquor option elections.

Under state law, businesses need to obtain a D-6 permit in order to sell intoxicating liquor on Sundays, including wine, spirits and prepackaged cocktails. These permits require approval from local voters. Businesses generally must gather 50 valid signatures from voters in their precinct before the issue can head to the ballot.

Rep. Jack Daniels (R-New Franklin) said Sunday liquor sales issues “almost always” pass, and can be a burden for businesses and local governments. That’s why he teamed up with Rep. Mark Sigrist (D-Grove City) to introduce House Bill 387 earlier this month. 

“This is a bipartisan bill that reduces red tape and makes businesses’ lives easier and also reduces some government expenses,” Daniels said. 

The bill would allow the legislative authorities of municipal corporations -- such as city councils or township trustees -- to adopt local laws permitting the sale of liquor on Sundays, ultimately bypassing the need for ballot initiatives. Under the bill, cities and townships could still hold the elections if they choose.

Daniels gave an example of how liquor ballot initiatives can become a burden on local governments, citing an election that occurred in Summit County in September 2023. A local liquor issue was the sole measure on the ballot, and only seven people voted, yet the election carried a price tag of $43,913.

"That's a lot of waste, and I know that's a very unusual circumstance, but it's not just the cost to the business owner and the aggravation for the business owner, but it's also the cost for the, for the county Board of Elections," Daniels said.

In 1973, the Ohio Statehouse repealed a majority of the state's “blue laws,” which once banned a variety of activities on Sundays, including sporting events, gambling and hunting. However, restrictions on alcohol sales on Sundays have lingered. 

Blue laws were once widespread across the country, rooted in the observance of the Christian day of worship. While less prevalent than they once were, many states still have remnants of blue laws on the books.

In 2022, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed a bill that made it easier for businesses to get Sunday liquor sale issues on the ballot by lowering the threshold of signatures from 35% of the number of votes cast for governor in the prior election to a flat number of 50 signatures. 

HB 387 awaits a committee assignment and its first hearing. The bill has 21 cosponsors, including both Democrats and Republicans.