Rural Alaska

Kaktovik votes to resume sale and consumption of alcohol after 20 years

Kaktovik has voted to remove their local option restrictions and allow the sale and consumption of alcohol in the Arctic coast village.

In a special election held June 8, the town voted 54 to 32 to overturn its current dry status.

The election results, which have since been certified, come after 20 years of prohibiting the sale, importation and possession of alcohol in the community.

The special election came on the heels of a petition to remove the local option and lift the ban. With no local option in effect, the city will fall under the state’s alcohol laws.

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Shady Grove Oliver

Shady Grove Oliver writes for the Arctic Sounder, covering Northwest Alaska.

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