local option

American  

noun

1. a right of choice exercised by a minor political division, as a county, especially as to allowing the sale of liquor.

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local option British  

noun

1. (esp in Scotland, New Zealand, and the US) the privilege of a municipality, county, etc, to determine by referendum whether a particular activity, esp the sale of liquor, shall be permitted there

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Etymology

Origin of local option

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

The voter-approved local option levy pays for 800 teaching positions, an advantage few other districts enjoy.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 3, 2023

Fife Council said it was working to explore other options to keep the family together until a more local option becomes available.

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2023

It took courageous and farsighted judges to stand up and say that civil rights are not dispensed in our country by local option.

From Slate • Mar. 29, 2021

Williams’s relationship with Oklahoma goes back further, but especially given pandemic-related uncertainty, he could decide on a local option.

From Washington Post • Jul. 1, 2020

In many of the American States the people are allowed local option and vote periodically, whether they will permit the legal manufacture and sale of intoxicants, or will attempt to prevent it for a time.

From Society Its Origin and Development by Rowe, Henry Kalloch