Rhodoman posted:
I wonder if a ride to the polls that parties have been giving people for decades are worth more than $1.
I wonder if a ride to the polls that parties have been giving people for decades are worth more than $1.
I don't know, but if those rides weren't in Wisconsin, then the specific law wouldn't apply: this is a state statute.
Quote:
12.11 Election bribery.
(1) In this section, "anything of value" includes any amount of money, or any object which has utility independent
of any political message it contains and the value of which exceeds $1. The prohibitions of this section apply to the
distribution of material printed at public expense and available for free distribution if such materials are accompanied by
a political message.
(1m) Any person who does any of the following violates this chapter:
(a) Offers, gives, lends or promises to give or lend, or endeavors to procure, anything of value, or any office
or employment or any privilege or immunity to, or for, any elector, or to or for any other person, in order to induce
any elector to:
1. Go to or refrain from going to the polls.
2. Vote or refrain from voting.
3. Vote or refrain from voting for or against a particular person.
4. Vote or refrain from voting for or against a particular referendum; or on account of any elector having
done any of the above.
...
Whoever violates s. 12.09, 12.11 or 12.13 (1), (2) (b) 1. to 7. or (3) (a), (e), (f), (j), (k), (L), (m), (y) or (z) is guilty of a Class I felony.
...
For a Class I felony, a fine not to exceed $10,000 or imprisonment not to exceed 3 years and 6 months, or both.
12.11 Election bribery.
(1) In this section, "anything of value" includes any amount of money, or any object which has utility independent
of any political message it contains and the value of which exceeds $1. The prohibitions of this section apply to the
distribution of material printed at public expense and available for free distribution if such materials are accompanied by
a political message.
(1m) Any person who does any of the following violates this chapter:
(a) Offers, gives, lends or promises to give or lend, or endeavors to procure, anything of value, or any office
or employment or any privilege or immunity to, or for, any elector, or to or for any other person, in order to induce
any elector to:
1. Go to or refrain from going to the polls.
2. Vote or refrain from voting.
3. Vote or refrain from voting for or against a particular person.
4. Vote or refrain from voting for or against a particular referendum; or on account of any elector having
done any of the above.
...
Whoever violates s. 12.09, 12.11 or 12.13 (1), (2) (b) 1. to 7. or (3) (a), (e), (f), (j), (k), (L), (m), (y) or (z) is guilty of a Class I felony.
...
For a Class I felony, a fine not to exceed $10,000 or imprisonment not to exceed 3 years and 6 months, or both.
It sounds silly to me, too, presuming the sandwiches weren't a direct bribe for a specific vote, but Wisconsin law is quite specific and this is a clear violation. You can't pay them $1 even to persuade them to merely go to the polls.
-----signature-----
"... We just need a president to sign this stuff... Pick a Republican with enough working digits to handle a pen to become president."
-Grover Norquist
.
MICHIGAN - Where the trees are the right height!
-Grover Norquist
.
MICHIGAN - Where the trees are the right height!
I wish AC looked better, I miss it
I love you forever Jamie