Election Drinking Game Rules That Keep It Fun

Election drinking games inject a lively spark into election night get-togethers, perfectly blending the thrill of politics with some good old-fashioned social fun.

What Exactly Is an Election Drinking Game, Anyway

An election drinking game is a lively tradition where people gather to watch election coverage and take a sip whenever certain events or comments appear during the broadcast. These games tend to show up spontaneously at parties or casual hangouts on election night.

How to Set Up Your Election Drinking Game (Because Watching Politics Should Come with a Twist)

Kick off a winning election drinking game by gathering people who are not just enthusiastic but also know their limits when it comes to the drinks. Make sure to have a good mix of beverages to please every taste bud.

• Offer a nice mix of drinks—think beer, wine and some non-alcoholic options too—so no one feels left out of the fun.
• Time the game to fit around the election night happenings. This helps keep the drinking from getting out of control.
• Pick a host or moderator who can smoothly run the rules and keep things humming along without a hitch.
• Lay down clear ground rules that promote safety and respect. Include pacing and drink limits because a good time is best when everyone stays comfortable and safe.
• Set up a cozy viewing area with top-notch screens and plenty of comfy seats. This makes it easy and inviting for everyone to join in.

Key Rules for Popular Drinking Games During Elections

Many election drinking games lean on certain cues like on-screen moments or those classic phrases everyone’s heard a dozen times. For example, you might take a quick sip whenever a candidate chimes in or go for a shot when the election results finally roll in. These rules do a great job keeping individuals engaged and turning things into a lively social affair.

• Take a little sip every time a candidate's name comes up. It happens more often than you would expect.
• Grab a drink during each commercial break or whenever those ads appear.
• When the coverage hands off to a news correspondent for their input, a small sip is enough.
• Drink a shot as soon as an official election result appears on the screen. Cheers to democracy!
• Have a laugh and take a sip when you see a funny or awkward political moment that makes you cringe.
• Take a sip whenever the broadcast shows poll numbers or wild predictions.
• If the broadcast freezes or there’s an annoying technical glitch, just skip your drink or pass your turn. There is no need to get frustrated.
• And finally, if a candidate makes a big mistake or drops a controversial comment, finish your drink—you’ve earned it.

Guidelines to Keep Things Enjoyable and Responsible (Because Let’s Be Honest, That’s the Sweet Spot)

Election drinking games can be a blast but it’s important to lay down some ground rules and watch the crowd to keep the fun from going off the rails. It’s wise to nudge individuals to take it slow and sip water between rounds while tuning into their own limits.

• Keep drink sizes small to help slow down intoxication and ensure the game stays fun and safe for everyone involved. It’s much better to pace yourself than to crash early.
• Take regular water breaks throughout the evening because staying hydrated makes a big difference when the night stretches on.
• Remind players to pay attention to their own limits and only drink what feels right. There’s no need to keep up with the crowd if you’re not feeling it.
• Create a laid-back, enjoyable atmosphere where no one feels pressured to drink more than they want. After all, the main goal is to have a great time together.
• Assign a sober monitor or rotate the role among the group to watch out for any safety issues and offer help when it’s needed.

"Drinking games are really all about having a good time together and forging some solid connections, not going overboard. Keeping an eye on your own limits and showing a little respect for others goes a long way in making sure the memories you walk away with are ones worth smiling about—and not the kind you cringe at later."

Different Options and Customizations to Make Your Game Truly Yours

Customization plays a big role in tailoring your election drinking game to fit your group's size and energy level just right. You could mix things up with team play to spark rivalry. Throw in trivia or prediction challenges to keep minds buzzing or alternate between alcoholic and non-alcoholic rounds to keep everyone comfortable.

• Offer non-alcoholic drinks for those who’d rather skip the booze but still want to join in on the fun.
• Divide players into teams to tackle election trivia or throw in some outcome predictions—adds a nice dash of friendly competition.
• Toss in trivia questions between coverage segments to keep everyone engaged and the energy up.
• Hand out rewards for spot-on predictions and dish out some lighthearted penalties for those who miss their cues—it spices things up just right.
• Break the game into timed rounds with regular breaks so people can catch their breath and come back refreshed.

Friends enjoying an election drinking game together on election night

How to Host an Election Drinking Game, Step by Step (Because Why Not Make Politics a Little More Fun)