Purchasing Votes

Serious Paul · Post by **Serious Paul** » Thu Nov 06, 2008 4:16 pm

So on election day places like Starbucks and Krispy Kreme were handing out stuff to people who could prove they voted-generally around here with those little "I voted" stickers. But is this sort of thing legal?

Kitt · Post by **Kitt** » Thu Nov 06, 2008 10:08 pm

I read a bit about that. It's iffy.
Technically speaking, yes, it is illegal to offer incentives to vote. However, since they didn't actually ask for proof, and anyone could have gotten a free drink/donut simply by saying they voted, it's more of a promotion than an incentive.
Certain states are also being more belligerent about it than others. California, for one, was cracking down on it.

paladin2019 · Post by **paladin2019** » Thu Nov 06, 2008 11:44 pm

Personally, as long as the promotion is non-partisan, I have no problem with it. I just hate Starbucks and Krispy Kreme. Now, if Chipotle or Noodles and Co offered the promotion...

Reika · Post by **Reika** » Sun Nov 09, 2008 3:02 pm

Dunno about the rest of the country, but here in JAX all the places offering free stuff if you voted were all clear on their stances "We don't care who you voted for,but you voted and that's what matters".

Liniah · Post by **Liniah** » Sun Nov 09, 2008 10:56 pm

Ben & Jerry's was giving out free ice cream and you didn't even need to 'prove' you voted. They were just doing it in honor of election day. Unfortunately, there isn't a Ben & Jerry's near my house.

Marius · Post by **Marius** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 2:40 am

They probably would have mailed you something. Ben & Jerry's is solid on promotions. Although, I guess I got more than usual, since they're alumni from my college and they like to come back and give out free stuff.

Crazy Elf · Post by **Crazy Elf** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 3:17 am

Why the fuck is it illegal to get people to vote? I can understand why it would be if it were wired towards a certain political party, but if it's just voting in general I can't see the problem.

Kitt · Post by **Kitt** » Mon Nov 10, 2008 6:48 pm

Crazy Elf wrote:Why the fuck is it illegal to get people to vote? I can understand why it would be if it were wired towards a certain political party, but if it's just voting in general I can't see the problem.

Because no matter how much you say that it's just the vote that counts, everyone has their opinions about who should be elected. And if even one employee says something about who they think should be elected, it can start to look bad. Starbucks Counter Monkey #4 says, "Man, I hope Barack wins. Did you vote?" Caffeine Addict #8 says, "No, not yet. Why?" SCM4 says, "oh, you get a free coffee if you do." CA8: "Oh. Nifty..." CA8 then goes and tells a friend that exchange. Said friend is slightly moronic and repeats it, saying that if you vote for Obama, you get a free coffee. Things get out of hand. That's what they're afraid of. So that's why it's "illegal".
Try not to die of shock, I actually did research on this one.

paladin2019 · Post by **paladin2019** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 6:55 am

To echo Kitt, that also feeds into the tactics of party machines. "Vote for our boy, and we've got this nice Thanksgiving basket for you."

The exchange Kitt describes could be misunderstood to be "Vote Democrat and get free Starschmucks!"

And some just don't want everyone voting, as more voters can affect their success.

crone · Post by **crone** » Fri Nov 14, 2008 2:45 am

On the news here they said that at Democratic conventions they had buses organised to take people to places they could vote in advance. Not so much giving incentives to vote as removing disincentives. Still, anyone who can be bothered to go to a convention will probably be bothered to vote as well.