Los Angeles to offer 'cash for voting'

[Dont Taz Me Bro]

In a bid to up the turnout at elections, Los Angeles city officials have come up with a scheme that essentially turns ballots into lottery tickets.

With only 23 percent of registered voters turning out during the last mayoral election, the city's Ethics Commission voted to recommend that the City Council consider cash prizes of up to $50,000 as an incentive to vote.

Commission President Nathan Hochman said a pilot program should be used first to find out the number and size of prizes that would bump up turnout.

Los Angeles to offer 'cash for voting' | Mail Online

Ummm... isn't this illegal?

Critics have said that plan will only lead to people voting for cash with no knowledge of the candidates.

Gee, you think? Because just what we need are more ignoramuses heading to the polls.

 

[AvgGuyIA]

I predict Liberals will be in favor of this.

 

[CaféAuLait]

Wow, if true, its friggin BS.

Federal law prohibits payment for voting, but Ethics Commissioner Jessica Levinson, who is also an attorney and law school professor, says that statute wouldn't apply to elections without federal races on the ballot.
California law prohibits money or gifts for votes for a particular candidate or measure, or payment to stay away from the polls altogether.
Hochman said the proposed prizes would be for simply entering the voting booth.

 

[Moonglow]

Only free whiskey on election days is illegal...

 

[CaféAuLait]

Only free whiskey on election days is illegal...

On Thursdays, after 10 am and before 10:34 AM, no less

 

[Avorysuds]

As a candidate running I'd like to match the prize money of 50,000$... So please get out and vote for me!