Local Option Elections

Although Texas has statewide laws governing most functions of the alcoholic beverage industry, voters participate in local option elections to decide the types of alcoholic beverages that can be sold in their communities. These elections are held by counties, cities or individual justice of the peace precincts.  

The following local governments have notified TABC that a local option election petition has been issued in their jurisdiction. For more information about each petition, including election dates, please contact the issuing city or county clerk. This list is updated by TABC on the 15th day of each month. 

See Sections 501.035 and 501.105 of the Texas Election Code.

• Malt Beverage – Off: “The legal sale of malt beverages for off-premise consumption only.” 
• Malt Beverage: “The legal sale of malt beverages.” 
• Wine/Malt Beverage – Off: “The legal sale of malt beverages and wine for off-premise consumption only.” 
• Wine/Malt Beverage: “The legal sale of malt beverages and wine.” 
• All AB – Off: “The legal sale of all alcoholic beverages for off-premise consumption only.” 
• All AB Except Mixed: “The legal sale of all alcoholic beverages except mixed beverages.” 
• All AB: “The legal sale of all alcoholic beverages including mixed beverages.” 
• Mixed Beverages: “The legal sale of mixed beverages.” 
• RM: “The legal sale of mixed beverages by food and beverage certificate holders only.” 
• Winery: “The legal sale of wine on the premises of a holder of a winery permit.” 

Most counties and cities allow some types of alcohol sales. As of December 2023, there are 60 completely wet counties in Texas and four completely dry counties.

• View wet/dry status of locations across the state (December 2023).
• View the Texas wet/dry map (December 2023).
• View list of historic elections on our Data and Archives page.

This information is the most accurate TABC has to offer. However, keep in mind:

• Only the city or county clerk's office can officially declare a location to be wet or dry.
• Elections happen several times a year, and the data above can quickly become outdated.
• Information is only added here when local governments report a change to TABC.

County clerks and city secretaries need to notify TABC and the Texas Secretary of State no more than 15 days after issuing a petition seeking a local option election.

You can let us know about a petition by mail, phone or email. Please include:

• Name of the city or county issuing the petition.
• Date the petition is issued.
• Jurisdiction (JP precinct, city or county) where the proposed election would be held.
• Exact statutory issue ("The legal sale of…" see Sec. 501.035 of the Elections Code) on the petition.

The following information is also helpful:

• Notice of when a petition is returned with sufficient valid signatures to call an election.
• Election date.
• Election results with both votes for and votes against the measure.

• Call (512) 206-3400
• Email local.option@tabc.texas.gov.
• Mail to: Office of the Executive Director, P.O. Box 13127, Austin, TX 78711