Category Archives: vote buying

“Why the Selfie is a Threat to Democracy”

August 18, 2015, 7:20 amelection administration, vote buyingRick 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… Continue reading

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

July 20, 2015, 3:35 pmvote buying, votingRick 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… Continue reading

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

April 13, 2015, 5:20 pmchicanery, vote buyingRick Hasen

AP reports.

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

March 17, 2015, 9:19 amvote buyingRick 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

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

February 24, 2015, 7:40 amchicanery, vote buyingRick Hasen

Fox News.

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

February 4, 2015, 7:38 amvote buyingRick Hasen

Carob for votes?

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

November 28, 2014, 3:35 pmvote buying, votingRick Hasen

The LA Times reports.

What Are They, High?

November 4, 2014, 5:15 pmvote buyingRick 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!

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

November 4, 2014, 3:38 pmvote buyingRick Hasen

The new UK elections blog.

Oops, Local Candidate Stops Free Sandwich Promotion for Voting

November 4, 2014, 3:33 pmvote buyingRick 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… Continue reading

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

October 8, 2014, 11:27 amcampaigns, vote buyingRick 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.”

Cocaine-for-Votes Scheme Alleged in School Board Election

September 22, 2014, 2:02 pmchicanery, vote buyingRick 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.

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

August 14, 2014, 8:00 pmvote buyingRick 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.

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

July 30, 2014, 12:10 pmchicanery, vote buyingRick 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… Continue reading