Local option refers to the right of any political division, such as a city or state, to choose the conditions under which a law should apply in its own jurisdiction. In the United States, local option is often used to decide whether intoxicating liquors shall be sold and, if so, under what conditions. The privilege temporarily lost its force in the United States during the period of national prohibition (1917-1933). Today, a U.S. township, city, county, or state may again use local option to regulate the sale of liquor.
An act of legislature is required to give the right of local option to the people. Authority is then granted to the communities to license liquor stores and taverns. The legislature names the smallest political district in which local option may be used. A majority vote by the eligible voters in the district determines the choice. In Canada, provincial government control of liquor prevails.
