Virginia ABC Stores Open Regular Hours on Election Day
Election Day has no effect on operations at the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority, and stores keep their normal schedule.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Beer
Virginia ABC liquor stores maintain their regular business hours on Election Day, as Prohibition-era closure laws have been repealed in the state. Privately owned grocery, convenience and independent beer and wine retailers set their own hours.
Why it matters
Confusion over Election Day liquor sales stems from outdated Prohibition-era laws originally designed to keep politicians from buying votes with alcohol. Residents planning purchases on Election Day can rely on current ABC hours rather than older closure rules.
Most Virginia ABC stores operate 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays, while stores close completely on Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter Sunday. Private retailers set their own hours, and the extraction does not specify their Election Day schedules.
The players
Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority
The Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority is the state agency that regulates and operates the liquor retail stores across Virginia, setting their hours and holiday closures.
The details
Virginia ABC stores remain open for normal business hours on Election Day, and the agency's operations are unaffected by the election. On Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day and New Year's Day, stores stay open with reduced, typically early closing hours.
Timeline
Election Day, November 3, 2026: Virginia ABC stores open for regular business hours.
Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 2026: Virginia ABC stores completely closed.
Christmas Day, December 25, 2026: Virginia ABC stores completely closed.
Legal Context
Virginia repealed the Prohibition-era laws that required liquor stores and bars to close during polling hours, which were originally aimed at preventing vote-buying with alcohol. Today ABC stores follow the agency's standard holiday schedule instead of any election-based closure.
Shoppers can verify exact hours for a specific neighborhood store with the locator tool on the Virginia ABC website. Holiday closures on Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter Sunday should be built into purchase plans in advance.
The takeaway
Election Day is a regular shopping day at Virginia ABC stores, so there is no need to stock up early. Checking the store locator before a holiday weekend avoids surprise closures.
Further reading
For more on the brands and styles sold at these shops, browse the Beer section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by FOX 5 DC.
