The 1923 Albertaprohibitionplebiscite, held on November 5, 1923, was a province-wide plebiscite held in Alberta, Canada, to allow alcoholic beverages, triggered by an affirmative vote in the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, based on the presentation of a 56,000-name petition in accordance with the requirements of the Direct Legislation Act, a citizens referendum Law or initiative law, in force at the time. Prohibition was defeated by nearly 58 percent of the vote, to be replaced by government sale of liquor and strictly regulated taverns. Liquor would be sold in government stores, thus, the government took out the profit motive for "pushing" alcohol and would engage in little advertising to encourage sales. Consumers of liquor had to buy permits, which if mis-used could be "interdicted." As well, after the end of Prohibition, the government brought in the local option vote, whereby communities could hold votes to prohibit sales of liquor in their communities. Cardston for example has been dry since what for most others was the end of Prohibition. And to this day liquor cannot be purchased in Alberta grocery stores.
Campaign
The writs were issued to Alberta's 52 electoral districts on October 9, 1923. The voting method used was a single transferable vote, and the ballot question was a preference of four options given. The Prohibition Committee was a campaign committee set up for the plebiscite to campaign for Option A, the option to continue the Liquor Act as it was before the plebiscite. The Prohibitionists had a seven-point platform. Point one encouraged voters to respect the laws already on the books. Point two stated that every constitutional method should be used to enact a change in law when the majority of voters desire a change. Points three, four and five focused on highlighting harm done by alcohol to the fabric of the community, contending that society is incumbent upon itself to ban such harm. Point six encouraged the crackdown and banning of liquor distilling in Alberta and its exportation outside the province. Point sevenspoke in favor of the Committee's satisfaction with the Liquor Act in force to that point. The committee believed the current legislation was the means to the end and allowed for efforts to be sustained until total prohibition was achieved. The Moderation League of Alberta was the committee campaigning for Option D, government control.
Results
won a clear majority on the first ballot; no extra count was required.
