Booze ban imposed for referendum day
(CNS): Despite 18 July being designated a public holiday to facilitate the national referendum on one man, one vote and single member constituencies, no booze will be sold until an hour after the polls close in the evening. The Elections Office has confirmed that, in line with the election law governing an election, the referendum day will also be dry. All proprietors of premises that hold licenses issued under the Liquor Licensing law are being warned that no intoxicating liquor can be sold, offered for sale or given away between the opening of the polls, which is at 7:00am and one hour after the close of the polls at 6:0ppm, which means a booze ban until 7pm across all three islands.
“It should be noted that whoever contravenes this section of the Elections Law (2009 Revision) (section 91) is guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine of five hundred dollars or to imprisonment for six months," officials from the elections office warned.
Meanwhile, applications for absentee voting including postal or mobile voting will be accepted by the Elections Office until 6 July, after which applications cannot be accepted.
Application forms can be obtained online at www.electionsoffice.ky or downloaded here
or click on the attachment below the article. They can also be collected from a registering officer or from the Elections Office in Smith Road.
People who are unable or unlikely to go in person to the polling station because they are in a hospital, rest home or other similar institution, or a geriatric at home, as well as those who are blind, physical incapacitated or unable to vote because of their occupation can apply for a mobile vote.
Mobile polling will be conducted in the 6 electoral districts on the following dates and times:
West Bay: 12 July at the John A. Cumber School Hall for electors that are unable to go to the polls because of employment/service or occupation between 9:00am until 1:00pm.
In the case of private residences/hospitals/rest homes or other similar institutions a mobile team will visit between the hours of 9:00am and 6:00pm.
George Town: 11 July at the Elections Office at 150 Smith Road for electors that are unable to go to the polls because of employment/service or occupation commencing at 9:00am until 1:00pm.
In the case of private residences/hospitals/rest homes or other similar institutions a mobile team will visit between the hours of 9:00am and 6:00pm.
Bodden Town: 10 July at the James Manoah Bodden Civic Centre for electors that are unable to go to the polls because of employment/service or occupation commencing at 9:00am until 1:00pm.
In the case of private residences/hospitals/rest homes or other similar institutions a mobile team will visit between the hours of 9:00am and 6:00pm.
North Side: 9 July at the North Side Primary School for electors that are unable to go to the polls because of employment/service or occupation commencing at 9:00am until 1:00pm.
In the case of private residences/hospitals/rest homes or other similar institutions a mobile team will visit between the hours of 1:00pm and 6:00pm.
East End: 9 July at the William Allen McLaughlin Civic Centre for electors that are unable to go to the polls because of employment/service or occupation commencing at 9:00am until 1:00pm.
In the case of private residences/hospitals/rest homes or other similar institutions a mobile team will visit between the hours of 1:00pm and 6:00pm.
Little Cayman: 6 July at the Public Works workers accommodation building for electors that are unable to go to the polls because of employment/service or occupation commencing at 9:00am until 1:00pm.
In the case of private residences/hospitals/rest homes or other similar institutions a mobile team will visit between the hours of 1:00pm and 6:00pm.
Cayman Brac: 9 July at the Aston Rutty Centre for electors that are unable to go to the polls because of employment/service or occupation commencing at 9:00am until 1:00pm.
In the case of private residences/hospitals/rest homes or other similar institutions a mobile team will visit between the hours of 1:00pm and 6:00pm.
See postal ballot form below
Category: Politics
Im suprised mac went for this. Youd have to be drunk to vote for anything that would help mac get back in.
Why do we always have to do what other have enforced. Its our country and we have our rules and laws. When I go to another mans country I do not criticize there laws and beliefs.
Must we always follow the leader? Most of the time the leader try to please everyone and just divides us all. Its only for 12 hours the most.. Come on people!
Yes, but you only enforce the ones that apply to 'others' or the ones that are easy. Why don't you enforce the ones that are bleeding your country dry and leaving you with a world wide reputation for corruption? No, you won't do that and confront the evil in your own back yard, its easier to blame everyone else or bury your heads in the sand.
You need to realise that this country will only ever be 'yours' when you demonstrate to the world that you can actually govern it without resorting to illigality and behave as a 21st century, mature democracy should. And trust me, going by current events, that will take a whole lot more than 12 hours.
I hear say that Kirkie is putting aside a few bottles for the 18th!
Can't say I blame him. Some of the politicians may well be staying at home on that day and having a few themselves knowing that this will be the end of the refrigerator & stove era.
I for one will be getting "EXCREMENT" faced. [ We're not allowed to use bad words like SH-T. After all we must follow the leader and keep our hands clean and our mouth pure!
You know what! I love this Island. WHY? Because it's the only place in the world where the politicians keep doing things to us that is putting us in the poor house, and we laugh about it! And why do we laugh about it? Because this "excrement" [sorry can't use the bad word] that they do to us in the name of GOOD GOVERNANCE is so "imbecilic" so funny, so indicative of nincompoops that one "has to" laugh! And I must admit that since these outrageous occurrences by our Politicians began I have laughed so much, that those strange conversations I have been having with an invisible friend, have suddenly stopped.
So thanks for the laughter guys!
After all they say that "LAUGHTER" is the best medicine!
If you google the reason you will find historically it is less to do with people being intoxicated on election day, and more to do with preventing vote buying/influencing by politicians ferrying voters to the bar, the poll and the bar again….probably a bit outdated measure today….there are more sophisticated ways to influence voters…..
Derrrrr, what's Google, can I buy it at Fosters or will Mac give me it in return for my vote?
Ignorant? Wow,Cayman is now allied with those two bastions of modernity, Kentucky and South Carolina who have failed to repeal Prohibition era laws. Well I suppose if Cayman wants to advertise itself as being backwards this is a great way to do it.
Now who's ignorant 07:58?
Maybe we should open some cocktail bars in West Bay on election day. They can't make any worse decisions than they did last time when they were sober.
I’m sure the tourists on island will be more than understanding! IDIOTS!!!!
What paternalistic, nanny-state luncy.
COme on children, behave and do as your betters tell you!
Because putting a cross in either a YES or NO box isso tricky, right? I'm just surprised you don't have another holiday the following day to get over the enormous stress of it all.
Can someone please explain why in the year 2012, alcohol can't be sold or given away by legitimate businesses? After all, voting isn't a religious rite, its a democratic right based on the premise that it is undertaken by an informed and mature electorate within a free society.
This ridiculous ruling and the totally unnecessary holiday will damage the struggling service, tourism and hospitality sectors even further. For what reason, is it the governments misguided notion that people won't be capable of making an informed decision or that they won't drink alcohol on polling day. Or, is it that a hypocritical christian fringe is hijacking the peoples day with their narrow minded view of the world?
Whatever the reason maybe, Cayman is demonstrating once again that it has no intention of breaking free from the shackles of debt and deficit. Unless this country spends longer at work and less time at play, its future will remain bleak and its economy in the red.
What a nation that cannot be trusted to vote responsibly if alcohol is available. Nowhere else does this.
Please don’t make ignorant comments. A number of countries around the world and a number if US States have this prohibition as well. The last thing you want is for people to be sloshed when they have to make important voting decisions especially when politicians can use this to their advantage. Politically charged feelings and elections are not a good combination anywhere.
I know; if they're sloshed, they might forget who (or in this case what) they were paid to vote for!
And yes, there are two US states which still have election day prohibition on alcohol sales that extends to bars, restaurants and package stores – Kentucky and South Carolina. One is a backwards Appalachian Mountain state and the other is ground zero of the Bible Belt, known for its bigotry, dumb laws, idiotic politicians and the stupidest Miss USA contestant of all time. That's great company Cayman is in!
You people criticizing these laws are too funny. First you criticize Cayman because its alcohol laws are too liberal – you can drink if you are 18, and the BAC limit for driving is 100 – then turn around and criticize it for prohibiting sale of alcohol on election/referendum day because it is too conservative. All some expats do is complain and usually on the basis that something is not exactly like where they come from. So what?
FYI a number of other US States have similar laws – Massachusetts, Indiana, Idaho and Alaska – as well as many Latin American countries and the Philippines.
Obviously it is easier to manipulate people who are intoxicated.
'Obviously it is easier to manipulate people who are intoxicated'.
Only if the the voting populous are weak minded and open to corruption in the first place. XXXX
Most prohibition US States and Latino country's are conservatively religious or still hold on to archaic laws from days gone by. Remember, this is 2012 not 1912.
It doesn't stop certain politicians from canvassing amongst those weak minded in bars the night before or making promises of free food or household goods. It doesn't stop the hypocritical churches from accepting public money, knowing it to be effectively stolen. And it certainly won't stop DUI because people will just stock up for the weekend and drink at home or on the beach.
Do you honestly believe that most voters haven't already made their minds up?
Once again, what has it got to do with religion, DUI and now the same old crutch when all else fails and the argument is weak, EXPATS and 'you people'? I bet the majority of people qualified to vote will be drinking on polling day and surprise, surprise they'll be Caymanian. Because, like most normal adult people they can judge whether they are impared to drive or vote, they don't need a bunch of unelected religious zealots babysitting them.
Alcohol laws on Cayman are not particularly liberal, especially when compared to most western cultures, including most of the US. The blood/alcohol limit is a completely seperate argument as is texting whilst driving or speeding, both killers in their own right.
So before you attack expats with your baseless accussasions, take note, because it'll be your own people who'll destroy your argument when they pick up their coolers, get on their boats or beaches and ignore your narrow minded nonsense.
Ignorant? Get your facts right before spouting nonsense, you have no idea how the rest of the world behaves or thinks.
No worries, I will be well supplied.
Does that apply to Ministers too?
Another reason why we need another government.
Hallelujah!! Ole Christian Mac should be happy with this one
16:41 after reading your post I am wondering if you are against Mac, Christisanity or Booze.? or is it all three.
"Despite 18 July being designated a public holiday to facilitate the national referendum on one man one vote single member constituencies no booze will be sold until an hour after the polls close in the evening".
CNS, I think you meant the no booze requirement is BECAUSE it is a national holiday for the referendum not despite that.