Barbara Jordan on Election Day Liquor Law (1968)

Duration: 0:34

Year Published: 1968

Sound: sound

Description: In this news segment for Houston’s KPRC-TV, then Texas State Senator Barbara Jordan comments on state law prohibiting the sale of alcohol on Election Day. Broadcast on November 3, the segment aired two days before the presidential election on November 5. Jordan classifies the legislation as government “hand-holding” that seeks to solve a nonexistent problem. Legislation banning the sale of alcohol on Election Day dates back to Prohibition. Such laws were designed to prevent the trade of free booze for votes, a practice that supposedly dates back to the 18th century. Texas has since repealed its law.