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Talk About Incentives for Voting: Major Porn Site Issues Release Saying It Will Be Available on Election Day Only to Those Who Voted

Posted on November 2, 2020 10:34 am by Rick Hasen

Release via email:  Pornhub, the premier online destination for adult entertainment, today announced “Give A F**k, Get A F**k,” a campaign to encourage American users to vote. On Election Day, Pornhub will be reserved only for those who have voted … Continue reading →

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Posted in vote buying

“Election Day Giveaways Steer Toward the Right Side of the Law”

Posted on October 30, 2020 11:42 am by Rick Hasen

Bryon Tau for the WSJ: Some of America’s largest corporations have finally gotten the memo that election-season giveaways requiring proof of voting are actually illegal under federal law.It’s an issue that recurs with every election: Companies ranging from national brands … Continue reading →

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Posted in vote buying

“How Tana Mongeau’s offer to send nude pics to Biden voters violates election law”

Posted on October 6, 2020 7:14 am by Rick Hasen

Interesting twist on the perennial problem of offering inducements for voting. … Continue reading →

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Posted in vote buying

“Ex-congressman from Abscam scandal faces new vote-buying charges”

Posted on July 23, 2020 8:13 pm by Rick Hasen

WaPo: An ex-congressman once convicted as part of the infamous Abscam investigation in the 1980s is facing new corruption charges for allegedly bribing a Philadelphia elections official to stuff ballot boxes.Michael “Ozzie” Myers, who was famously caught on a hidden … Continue reading →

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Posted in chicanery, vote buying

“Free gas drawing only for those who pledge support for Prop. 6? Backers now say no, anyone can enter.”

Posted on November 5, 2018 7:23 am by Rick Hasen

SD Union Tribune: The campaign supporting Proposition 6, the November ballot measure to repeal a California gas-tax increase, on Sunday promoted a statewide event sure to be popular — a drawing for a free tank of gas for those who … Continue reading →

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Posted in vote buying

Ostensibly To Avoid Laws Against Vote Buying, Lyft and Uber Offer Only One-Way Free Transportation to the Polls

Posted on November 2, 2018 8:44 am by Rick Hasen

Clark.com: Much has been made recently about the good deed being offered by two of America’s most popular ridesharing services. Uber and Lyft have both announced that they are going to give voters in the midterm elections rides to the polls on Tuesday, … Continue reading →

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Posted in vote buying

“Saxbys plans to give away free lattes for voting. That’s a nice idea — but also illegal.”

Posted on October 18, 2018 7:17 am by Rick Hasen

Billy Penn: While the locally owned coffee chain’s altruism is admirable, it’s also illegal under federal law. “In elections in which federal candidates are on the ballot, no one can offer any kind of benefit or reward for voting,” UC … Continue reading →

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Posted in vote buying

Pa: “GOP calls foul on Dems’ voter registration giveaway at fair”

Posted on August 8, 2018 9:12 am by Rick Hasen

AP: The Pennsylvania Republican Party wants an investigation into a promotion by Fayette County Democrats at the recent county fair to get people to register as Democrats or change party affiliation. The GOP says the offer of Pittsburgh Steelers memorabilia … Continue reading →

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Posted in chicanery, vote buying

Free Pizza for College Students Voting Apparently OK in Boulder, Colorado

Posted on December 5, 2017 8:02 pm by Rick Hasen

Daily Camera reports. The no-no would be if it was intended to get someone to vote one way or another. In federal elections, goodies for turnout would be clearly illegal.   … Continue reading →

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Posted in vote buying

“Get free bed bug spray if you vote, but it might be illegal.”

Posted on November 7, 2017 7:51 pm by Rick Hasen

Ew. I prefer the illegal ice cream. … Continue reading →

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Posted in vote buying

“Campaign informant: I was paid $30 to hand messenger ballot to Atlantic City Democratic operative”

Posted on November 2, 2017 8:39 am by Rick Hasen

Philadelphia Inquirer  on some absentee ballot vote buying allegations: Voice recorder in his pocket, Rodney Cotton, 51, got out of the private detectives’ car and headed for the Gilliam for Mayor headquarters on Atlantic Avenue. As the two retired state troopers … Continue reading →

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Posted in absentee ballots, chicanery, vote buying

“An ‘I Voted’ Sticker Can Get You Free Stuff, but It Shouldn’t”

Posted on November 8, 2016 7:36 am by Rick Hasen

NYT reports. … Continue reading →

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Posted in vote buying

$100 (Legal) Vote Buying in Tribal Election

Posted on November 6, 2016 7:45 pm by Rick Hasen

Buffalo News: Sometimes, an election vote that is supposed to be secret really isn’t secret at all. That is what happened last Tuesday, when members of Seneca Nation elected every candidate sponsored by the Seneca Party, according to critics of … Continue reading →

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Posted in vote buying

“The Counter” Burger Restaurant Could Get in Legal Trouble for Offering Free Fries with “I Voted” Sticker

Posted on November 4, 2016 12:49 pm by Rick Hasen

From my NYT Room for Debate today:   Back in 2008, I noted that Ben and Jerry’s, in an act of civic virtue, promised free ice cream on Election Day to everyone who showed an “I Voted” sticker. But this … Continue reading →

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Posted in election administration, vote buying

“Trump Traders: Like Tinder, but for swapping your swing state vote”

Posted on October 31, 2016 3:49 pm by Rick Hasen

McClatchy reports. As I’m quoted saying in the article, I don’t believe the issue of legality is settled, despite the 9th Circuit precedent. … Continue reading →

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Posted in campaigns, vote buying

“Republicans For Clinton Launch Vote Trading Website … Is that Even Legal?”

Posted on September 17, 2016 12:19 pm by Rick Hasen

Law Newz reports. … Continue reading →

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Posted in campaigns, vote buying

“Anti-Trump Republicans: Don’t Waste Your Vote. Trade It.”

Posted on September 16, 2016 7:07 am by Rick Hasen

Vote trading ideas are back, this time on the NYT oped page (John Stubbs and Ricardo Reyes): Republican voters who refuse to vote for Donald J. Trump are in a bind. They could vote for Hillary Clinton, but that means … Continue reading →

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Posted in campaigns, vote buying

“Ladies dispensing doughnuts and coffee to influence voters didn’t warrant a new election”

Posted on August 24, 2016 7:08 am by Rick Hasen

Westlaw’s headnote of the day. … Continue reading →

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Posted in vote buying

“Businesses offer perks, freebies in effort to get young people to vote”

Posted on July 10, 2016 5:02 pm by Rick Hasen

Japan Times: Businesses across the nation used discounts and free services to encourage 18- and 19-year-olds to use their newly granted suffrage to vote in Sunday’s House of Councilors election. The Upper House election is the first national poll since … Continue reading →

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Posted in vote buying

“Electile Dysfunction: S. Korea Probes Sex Pills-for-Votes Claim”

Posted on April 12, 2016 7:43 am by Rick Hasen

Daily Mail: Elderly men in South Korea have allegedly been given erectile dysfunction drugs to buy their votes in legislative elections, prosecutors said Tuesday, announcing an investigation into the suspected breach. … Continue reading →

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Posted in vote buying

Democrat Backed by Republican IL Gov. Accused of Vote Buying in Chicago

Posted on March 7, 2016 4:10 pm by Rick Hasen

$50 a vote. Inflation! … Continue reading →

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Posted in chicanery, vote buying

Uber Discount on Primary Election Day in NH? Kosher!

Posted on February 9, 2016 7:17 am by Rick Hasen

Alex Seitz-Wald has the scoop. It does not appear this is limited to voters, and courts have ruled that providing transportation to the polls does not violate anti vote-buying prohibitions. (There was a case some years ago in Alaska about … Continue reading →

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Posted in vote buying

Georgia Mayoral Election Overturned Because of Vote Buying, Other Irregularities

Posted on December 1, 2015 7:44 am by Rick Hasen

WTOC reports. … Continue reading →

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Posted in chicanery, election administration, vote buying

“Marin’s assemblyman wants to legalize ‘ballot selfies’ in California”

Posted on November 3, 2015 7:37 am by Rick Hasen

The Marin Independent Journal reports.  On why I think this is a very bad idea, see the Selfie is a Threat to Democracy, Reuters Opinion, Aug. 18, 2015   … Continue reading →

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Posted in chicanery, vote buying

“Can cheap drinks get young adults to vote? One group thinks it’s worth a shot.”

Posted on November 2, 2015 7:50 am by Rick Hasen

WaPo reports. … Continue reading →

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Posted in vote buying, voting

“Philadelphia Residents Could Win $10,000 for Voting”

Posted on October 23, 2015 3:18 pm by Rick Hasen

TIME reports. … Continue reading →

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Posted in vote buying, voting

Federal Judge Who Upheld Indiana Voter ID Law with No Evidence of Fraud Enjoins Ballot Selfie Law Because of No Evidence of Fraud

Posted on October 20, 2015 7:38 am by Rick Hasen

Here’s the opinion (via ILB) … Continue reading →

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Posted in vote buying, voting

ACLU of Indiana Targets State Ballot Selfies Law

Posted on August 27, 2015 8:30 am by Rick Hasen

The Indiana Law Blog reports. … Continue reading →

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Posted in vote buying, voting

“Selfies in Voting Booths Raise Legal Questions on Speech and Secrecy”

Posted on August 24, 2015 7:25 am by Rick Hasen

Erik Eckholm for the NYT: On Aug. 11, in a 42-page opinion that reviewed the history of ballot secrecy and voter intimidation, Judge Paul Barbadoro of Federal District Court in Concord struck down the law. The state provided no evidence … Continue reading →

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Posted in vote buying, voting

“How Ballot Selfies Can Threaten Democracy”

Posted on August 19, 2015 7:58 am by Rick Hasen

Here’s an interview with me on The Takeaway, about my recent Reuters piece. … Continue reading →

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Posted in vote buying

“Why the Selfie is a Threat to Democracy”

Posted on August 18, 2015 7:20 am by Rick Hasen

I have written this commentary for Reuters Opinion. What could be more patriotic in our narcissistic social-media age than posting a picture of yourself on Facebook with your marked ballot for president? Show off your support for former Secretary of … Continue reading →

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Posted in election administration, vote buying

“Voter in L.A. school board race wins $25,000 for casting a ballot”

Posted on July 20, 2015 3:35 pm by Rick Hasen

LAT: An experiment in boosting chronic low-turnout local elections ended Friday when Rojas, a 35-year-old security guard, received a check for winning a lottery that included every voter in District 5 for the Los Angeles Board of Education. “I was … Continue reading →

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Posted in vote buying, voting

“Vote Buying at Center of Eastern Ky. Judge-Executive Race”

Posted on April 13, 2015 5:20 pm by Rick Hasen

AP reports. … Continue reading →

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Posted in chicanery, vote buying

Here’s a New Vote Buying Scheme: “Get Out of Hell Free” Cards (Israel elections)

Posted on March 17, 2015 9:19 am by Rick Hasen

Failed Messiah: The Shas Party is promising voters who vote for Shas “a pidyon hanefesh” (redemption of their soul; essentially a “get out of hell free” card) to be given by top Shas Party rabbis in exchange for the voter’s … Continue reading →

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Posted in vote buying

“Results of Kentucky election get tossed over vote-buying allegations”

Posted on February 24, 2015 7:40 am by Rick Hasen

Fox News. … Continue reading →

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Posted in chicanery, vote buying

“Bayit Yehudi ordered to stop giving out fruit for Tu B’Shvat”

Posted on February 4, 2015 7:38 am by Rick Hasen

Carob for votes? … Continue reading →

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Posted in vote buying

“L.A. voters won’t be offered cash prizes in March city election”

Posted on November 28, 2014 3:35 pm by Rick Hasen

The LA Times reports. … Continue reading →

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Posted in vote buying, voting

What Are They, High?

Posted on November 4, 2014 5:15 pm by Rick Hasen

Medical marijuana dispensary giving out free pot in Sacramento with an I Voted speaker.  C’mon folks, this is illegal—especially since you can’t get the free ice cream afterwards! … Continue reading →

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Posted in vote buying

“Gumbo With a Side of The Law: How a Lexington Cajun Restaurant Could be Breaking Election Rules by Encouraging People to Vote”

Posted on November 4, 2014 3:38 pm by Rick Hasen

The new UK elections blog. … Continue reading →

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Posted in vote buying

Oops, Local Candidate Stops Free Sandwich Promotion for Voting

Posted on November 4, 2014 3:33 pm by Rick Hasen

UT San Diego: A Sweetwater school board candidate is withdrawing her offer to give a free Subway sandwich to voters today after U-T Watchdog informed her that the offer likely violates federal election law. Dana Toogood — who is running … Continue reading →

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Posted in vote buying

“Trailing in polls, California candidate offers scholarships, gift cards”

Posted on October 8, 2014 11:27 am by Rick Hasen

Reuters: “Trailing in the polls and getting little media coverage, California’s Republican candidate for governor handed out $40,000 in scholarships on Tuesday, just two weeks after offering gift cards to attendees at a campaign event.” … Continue reading →

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Posted in campaigns, vote buying

Cocaine-for-Votes Scheme Alleged in School Board Election

Posted on September 22, 2014 2:02 pm by Rick Hasen

Federal indictment. In The Voting Wars, I talk of one other case of alleged crack cocaine for votes. But I have not heard of any others since I wrote that.   … Continue reading →

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Posted in chicanery, vote buying

“Panel wants L.A. to look at using prizes to boost voter turnout”

Posted on August 14, 2014 8:00 pm by Rick Hasen

The LA Times reports. I look at the legality and policy arguments surrounding payments for turnout (which are illegal throughout the U.S. in any election in which a federal candidate is on the ballot) in my article Vote Buying.  … Continue reading →

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Posted in vote buying

“Hood calls out ‘political blogger’ in pay-to-lie scheme”

Posted on July 30, 2014 12:10 pm by Rick Hasen

Clarion Ledger: Attorney General Jim Hood said his office is investigating whether a “political blogger” paid a Meridian man to lie about a vote-buying scheme. During his speech at the Neshoba County Fair, Hood called for more civility and integrity … Continue reading →

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Posted in chicanery, vote buying

“Fielder says he didn’t buy votes, but was asked to”

Posted on July 10, 2014 7:45 pm by Rick Hasen

Clarion Ledger: “A Meridian man has recanted – sort of – his story that he helped the U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran campaign buy votes for $15 each in Lauderdale County.” … Continue reading →

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Posted in chicanery, recounts, vote buying

Weed for Votes Likely Illegal in CA Election

Posted on June 2, 2014 7:19 pm by Rick Hasen

Following up on this post, I had not realized that this was for a primary election with federal candidates. As Reuters correctly reports, “A spokesman for San Jose, David Vossbrink, said that the offer appeared to be illegal under federal … Continue reading →

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Posted in vote buying

“Weed for Votes”

Posted on May 31, 2014 9:39 pm by Rick Hasen

Bustle: In an effort to encourage California residents to cast ballots in the state primary elections next week, certain pot clubs in San Jose will be giving voters free weed, as long as they have a medical marijuana card, and … Continue reading →

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Posted in vote buying

“Vote buying complaints in six Kentucky counties; turnout remains light”

Posted on May 20, 2014 9:32 am by Rick Hasen

Ah, Kentucky. … Continue reading →

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Posted in chicanery, vote buying

Free Car Raffle for US. Senate Candidate Web Signup

Posted on April 18, 2014 1:18 pm by Rick Hasen

Interesting question whether this is getting too close to illegal vote buying.  I think it is probably ok because there’s no payment for turnout or voting. … Continue reading →

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Posted in vote buying

“In India, show the finger after voting, get cheaper gas and food”

Posted on April 10, 2014 2:20 pm by Rick Hasen

Love this: Showing the finger can get you a punch in the face in many parts of the world. In India, during this general election at least, it can earn discounts at gas stations, restaurants, spas, stores and hospitals after … Continue reading →

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Posted in vote buying

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