Update: On Friday, June 5th at around 7:30 pm, CANACO (the National Chamber of Commerce, Services and Tourism) Puerto Vallarta informed us that after diverse negotiations with the Secretary General of the State of Jalisco, they reached an agreement that allows Puerto Vallarta restaurants and resorts to sell alcohol this weekend under two conditions: 1.) Alcoholic beverages must be served with food, and 2.) Beverages must be served in a glass (no bottles of beer or wine can be sold.)

Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico - On June 7, 2015, Mexico is scheduled to hold its mid-term congressional elections. If you've been reading the news coverage you already knew that. But what you may not know is that Mexico's Ley Seca (dry law) will be in effect this weekend.

Under la 'Ley Seca,' the sale of all types of alcoholic beverages is prohibited in the 48 hours surrounding the elections (24 hours before elections, and throughout the day on election day.) That means that no alcoholic beverages will be sold at convenience stores, grocery stores, cervecerias or wine shops from midnight on Friday, June 5th until midnight on Sunday, June 7, 2015.

In addition, bars and nightclubs will be closed, and restaurants and resorts will not be allowed to serve alcohol until after the elections on Sunday.

The purpose of the law is to ensure that elections are held with the maximum degree of decorum. This law used to be enforced at a national level, but since 2007 it has been left up to the authorities of each state to determine whether or not it will be applied. Some states restrict the sale of alcoholic beverages for the full 48 hours, some for just 24 hours, and some, mostly in areas where tourism is an important economic factor, do not apply the law at all.

Unfortunately, Jalisco is among the Mexican states that enforce prohibition for the full 48 hours, according to the Periodico Oficial del Estado de Jalisco (State of Jalisco's Official Newspaper) published on June 2, 2015.

As a result, no alcohol will be sold in Puerto Vallarta on either Saturday or Sunday. The law applies equally for Mexican citizens and foreign tourists.

For those concerned about being unable to purchase alcoholic beverages this weekend, it's a good idea to plan in advance and stock up on liquor before election time comes around.