Politics & Government

City Council Sending 21-Ordinance Back to Voters in November

The petition to repeal the controversial ordinance successfully forced the council to send the matter to a public vote.

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As expected the Iowa City City Council voted unanimously at last night's council meeting to send the 21-ordinance issue to a public vote in November.

The vote was made after a petition drive led by bar owners collected the necessary 2,600 valid signatures to either force the city council to overturn the ordinance or send it to voters on Nov. 5  Passed in 2010, the ordinance prohibits bar goers younger than 21 from being in bars after 10 p.m.City council members defended the ordinance as being effective in reducing drinking in the wake of the University of Iowa being named the number one party school in America this week. 


Iowa City sends 21-only law to voters (The Gazette)

The law went into effect three years ago and withstood a referendum in fall 2010. Backers say it has helped reduce problem drinking and improved the atmosphere downtown, where many bars popular with college students are located.

“The 21 (law) has really diminished our status as a destination for underage people to come and drink,” council member Susan Mims said.

The petition seeking a repeal was started by a bar owner and manager who said 19- and 20-year-olds want a chance to be in bars at night. George Wittgraf, owner of the Union Bar, also has said a repeal would benefit his business financially.

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That backing from the alcohol serving business interests in town has council members worried that a 21-ordinance may not survive a referendum for the second time, despite the fact that the council has watered down the ordinance since then, allowing exceptions for performance venues.


Council: 21-only working despite 'party' label (Iowa City Press-Citizen)

Council member Rick Dobyns said he’s concerned that in a low-turnout election like this November’s, a concerted effort by bar owners could possibly drive out enough anti-21 voters to overturn the ordinance.

“Alcohol money will get them out to vote,” Dobyns said. “Getting out the vote for other members of the community, that’s going to be tough.”

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