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Choosing the Proper Local Option Question(s)

Choosing the proper or correct local liquor option question(s) that need to be placed on the ballot can be difficult. Below is an overview of the many questions available to local option petitioners.  A detailed explanition of each question type can be found in this section or by clicking on the question types.

If you can’t determine exactly what question(s) you need, email us at info@ohioliquoroptions.com or call (614) 487-1009 for professional assistance in solving your local liquor option problems.

Beer Sales
Weekly Beer Sales – Ohio law provides three types of local liquor option elections which affect the weekly sale of beer. By using the precinct wide process or the limited effect process, petitioners can seek to permit or prohibit beer sales privileges within their precinct through the week. By utilizing the particular location local option processs, petitioners can seek to gain beer sales privileges for their business only without affect on other precinct businesses.

Sunday Beer Privileges – This section helps you understand the various aspects of the Sunday Beer Sales permits so that you can better prepare for a Local Liquor Option.


Spirituous Liquor by the Glass
Spirituous Liquor by the Glass – This section helps you determine the process of affecting the sale of spirituous liquor by the glass Monday through Saturday within a precinct and at specific locations for on premise consumption.


Weekly Sales
Wine and Mixed Beverages (Off-premises ONLY) – Question #A allows or prohibits the weekly sale of wine and mixed beverages (Monday – Saturday ONLY) for off-premise carry-out sales. This question is typically used by carry-outs, grocery stores and convenience stores.

Wine and Mixed Beverages (on-premises only; & on and off-premises) – Question #B allows or prohibits the weekly sale of wine and mixed beverages (Monday – Saturday ONLY) for both on-premise only sales and off-premise carry-out sales and on-premise sales. This question is typically used by applicants for D class permits such as a deli or pizza shop to allow on-premise sales by the drink and carry-out sales by the package.

Spirituous Liquor by the GlassQuestion #C allows or prohibits the weekly sale of spirituous liquor by the glass (Monday – Saturday ONLY) for on-premise only sales. This question is specific to class D3 and higher permits and may be used in any Ohio precinct.

State Liquor Store/Liquor Agency StoreQuestion #D allows or prohibits the weekly carry-out or off-premise sale of spirituous liquor by the package for state liquor stores or liquor agencies (Monday – Saturday ONLY).


Sunday Sales
Sunday Sales of Intoxicating Liquor: 10:00 a.m. to midnight – This section applies to three (3) questions which allow or prohibit the unrestricted sale, restricted sale and carry-out ONLY sale of wine and mixed beverages Sunday between 10:00 a.m. and midnight.

Sunday Sales of Intoxicating Liquor: 11:00 a.m. to midnight -This section applies to three (3) questions which allow or prohibit the unrestricted sale, restricted sale and carry-out ONLY sale of wine and mixed beverages Sunday between 11:00 a.m. and midnight.


Limited Effect
“Limited Effect” Local Option Election for Weekly Sales – A limited effect election is a local option whereby the voters in a precinct vote on the status of the sale of alcoholic beverages in only part or portion of their precinct.

“Limited Effect” Election for 10:00 a.m. Sunday Sales -The following questions for Sunday sales between 10:00 a.m. and midnight may be submitted only if the status of alcohol sales in a portion of a precinct is inconsistent with the permitted use in the remainder of the precinct as a result of an annexation or the board of elections redrawing the precinct lines.

“Limited Effect” Election for 11:00 a.m. Sunday Sales – The following questions for Sunday sales between 11:00 a.m. and midnight may be submitted only if the status of alcohol sales in a portion of a precinct is inconsistent with the permitted use in the remainder of the precinct as a result of an annexation or the board of elections redrawing the precinct lines.


Particular Location Local Liquor Option Election
This type of election has become the most widely utilized type of local option in Ohio because it authorizes the sale of beer, wine and mixed beverages or spirituous liquor in any manner and combination at a single particular business location within a precinct.


Sale of Beer and Intoxicating Liquor at “Community Facilities”
A local liquor option election concerning a community facility may be placed on the ballot by petition, as well as by resolution or ordinance, submitted to the board of elections no later than 4 p.m. of the 90th day prior to the general or primary election. Such an election is submitted to the electorate of the entire municipality or unincorporated area of the township in which the community facility is located.


Non-Petition Question: Particular Site Adjudged a Nuisance
This local liquor option question is placed on the ballot by filing with the board of elections the judgment entry declaring the particular location a nuisance.