Local Option Elections

Although the laws regulating the alcoholic beverage industry are consistent statewide, the Alcoholic Beverage Code allows local determination of the types of alcoholic beverages which may be sold and how they can be sold by means of local option elections. Elections can be held by counties, cities or individual justice of the peace precincts.

Quick Facts

• As of November 2008, there are 40 completely wet counties in Texas, and 32 completely dry counties. Most counties fall somewhere in between.
• As of August 2003, prior to recent changes in the law, there were 35 completely wet counties and 51 completely dry.
• There were 53 completely dry counties in 1995.

Wet/Dry Spreadsheet as of November 2008

View a list of all counties, cities and JP precincts in Texas and their wet/dry status. This information is the most accurate that TABC has to offer, but only the city or county clerk's office can officially declare a location to be wet or dry.

Wet/Dry Map as of June 2008

See a map of wet, dry or partly wet counties in Texas as of June 2008.

List of Local Option Elections Around the State

Elections take place several times a year, so TABC’s wet/dry map or spreadsheet can become out of date quickly. Local option petitions and elections are posted on TABC’s website as we obtain that information. We cannot guarantee that this list is complete.
List of local option elections webpage.

Questions?

The Secretary of State has oversight over local option elections. For questions about specific election procedures, please contact the Secretary of State’s Office, or visit the Secretary of State's website.

For questions regarding TABC or the Alcoholic Beverage Code, please feel free to contact TABC Public Information Officer at (512) 206-3347 or at questions@tabc.state.tx.us.