Study: More Than Half Of Hoosiers Support Expanding Liquor Laws

By PATRICK MCGERR

A recent survey shows consistent support among Hoosiers for expanding the state’s liquor laws.

The 2017 Hoosier Survey, conducted by Ball State University and Old National Bank, reveals more than half of Indiana residents support Sunday sales and cold beer sales in supermarkets and convenience stores.

In a random sample of 600 Hoosiers, 58 percent say they support carryout sales of liquor on Sundays, while 61 percent of respondents say they favor cold beer sales in supermarkets.

Sean Hildebrand, assistant professor of political science at Ball State University, says the results are in line with previous years.

“We’ve got consistent support, right, so from three years ago to now the numbers are basically the same,” Hildebrand says. “We’ve got bipartisan support, we’ve got support all over the state.”

Hildebrand says cold beer sales and Sunday sales garnered 50 percent support or more in every demographic category except seniors. Just under half of those surveyed from that group support Sunday sales.

Results show the southern part of the state is generally less supportive of such measures compared to northern and central counties. But both proposals received bipartisan support among survey respondents.

Sixty-three percent of Democrats and Independents are in favor of cold beer sales, compared to 57 percent of Republicans.

And 58 percent of Independents and Democrats say they support Sunday sales, compared to 55 percent of Republicans.