A yes vote would end Collingswood’s dry status, but the borough’s three commissioners would still decide whether and how to issue liquor licenses.
Collingswood is one of the last dry towns in New Jersey, and it has been dry since its incorporation in 1888, a policy the Inquirer links to the borough’s Quaker heritage. That could change after today.
This Election Day, Collingswood’s liquor ban is on the ballot.
Liquor On the Ballot
The ballot question was finalized in August after a bipartisan group of residents called Booze on the Ballot gathered enough signatures to bring it to a vote. Importantly, the group did not take a position itself, but decided the ongoing debate was unproductive if nothing was going to be done about it.
After three weeks of voter outreach, the petition secured enough signatures to make it to the ballot box. The Board of Commissioners adopted the resolution on August 19, just days ahead of the deadline.
Today, voters decide whether to end the ban.
What a “Yes” Vote Means
Simply put, voting “yes” is a vote to rescind Collingswood’s dry status. If it passes, bars won’t start popping up next week—three commissioners will need to decide whether and how to issue licenses, according to NJ.com.
Because of New Jersey’s unique liquor laws, which limit retail liquor licenses based on municipal population caps, how Collingswood would roll out potential liquor licenses remains to be seen. As of right now, two options for awarding licenses are on the table: competitive bidding or an application and review process.
Typically speaking, New Jersey limits municipalities to one consumption license (bars and restaurants) per 3,000 residents, and one distribution license (liquor stores) per 7,500 residents. This means Collingswood could issue one license to a liquor store, and up to four for restaurants and bars.
Collingswood has long been seen as a BYOB town. Mayor Daniela Solano-Ward assures residents that BYOBs are not going anywhere, even in the event that licenses are issued. The worry now lies in distribution—will existing restaurants be overlooked in the bidding process, or will they be turned against each other in the process?
Looking Nextdoor
For a clearer picture, Collingswood can look to its neighbors. Haddon Heights ended its de facto liquor ban in 2024 after 120 years. The town auctioned off its first retail liquor license in September for $200,000.
Further north in Bergen County, Rutherford voters approved a similar ballot question in 2020. The borough issued its first license in more than a century in 2023 and has issued several more since.
Polls close at 8 p.m. If voters say no, the town stays dry. If voters say yes, Collingswood’s dry status ends, but the commissioners still have to decide whether and how to issue licenses, and that process could take a while.
Peter Candia is the Food + Drink Editor at New Jersey Digest. A graduate of The Culinary Institute of America, Peter found a passion for writing midway through school and never looked back. He is a former line cook, server and bartender at top-rated restaurants in the tri-state area. In addition to food, Peter enjoys politics, music, sports and anything New Jersey.
