Bribing Voters in Arizona
Though the story is a bit old, this is going to be voted on come Tuesday, so I thought it relevant. An Arizona ballot would award a random voter $1 million for participating in a general election or a primary.
The funds would come from unclaimed Arizona lottery money. Not that those funds could go to something better, like education, but hey gambling is more fun.
This gimmick may attract more voters, but there is no incentive to actually be an informed voter. It doesn't improve the democratic process just dilutes the pool of people who take voting seriously. So, who benefits most from this, besides the person depositing the cool million?
I think it is safe to say that people who have less money would be more inclined to want money. Numbers show that party affiliation among people who have an annual income lower than $30k heavily favors Democrats. Can you guess creator, Mark Osterloh's party affiliation?
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The initiative calls for financing the award through unclaimed state lottery prize money, private donations and, if need be, state money. A spokeswoman for the Arizona Lottery Commission said its unclaimed prize pot fluctuated greatly, but it now stood at more than $1 million. Mr. Osterloh said private donors could add their own incentives, like a car dealership offering a new car to a random voter. |
Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/17/us...
And I suppose as the stakes increase in an election so might the cash and prizes. Once the door is opened, who's to say that $1 million couldn't turn into $100 million. I hear Bob Barker may be available. This is nothing more than a bribe.
Comments
I lived in Arizona for a couple of years... Should have stayed put.. I would have put in a write in vote for Mickey Mouse, or maybe even one of Three Stooges...
Posted by: JR | November 5, 2006 09:28 PM
And that may be the exact response they're looking for.
Posted by: Ed Z | November 6, 2006 01:54 PM