“How Tana Mongeau’s offer to send nude pics to Biden voters violates election law”
Interesting twist on the perennial problem of offering inducements for voting.
Category Archives: vote buying
“Ex-congressman from Abscam scandal faces new vote-buying charges”
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… Continue reading
“Free gas drawing only for those who pledge support for Prop. 6? Backers now say no, anyone can enter.”
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
Ostensibly To Avoid Laws Against Vote Buying, Lyft and Uber Offer Only One-Way Free Transportation to the Polls
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… Continue reading
“Saxbys plans to give away free lattes for voting. That’s a nice idea — but also illegal.”
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
Pa: “GOP calls foul on Dems’ voter registration giveaway at fair”
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
Free Pizza for College Students Voting Apparently OK in Boulder, Colorado
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.
“Get free bed bug spray if you vote, but it might be illegal.”
Ew.
I prefer the illegal ice cream.
“Campaign informant: I was paid $30 to hand messenger ballot to Atlantic City Democratic operative”
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… Continue reading
“An ‘I Voted’ Sticker Can Get You Free Stuff, but It Shouldn’t”
$100 (Legal) Vote Buying in Tribal Election
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
“The Counter” Burger Restaurant Could Get in Legal Trouble for Offering Free Fries with “I Voted” Sticker
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… Continue reading
“Trump Traders: Like Tinder, but for swapping your swing state vote”
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.