Jeezuz Effin' Christ: NC Sherriff wants to prosecute Profs who give extra credit for voting

[TalkingDog]

http://www.camelcitydispatch.com/chairman-calls-for-sheriffs-deputies-at-forsyth-county-polls/

Raymond cited N.C. General Statute 163-275, subsection 2. He read aloud the text ending with: “It is unlawful for “any person to give or promise or request or accept at any time, before or after any such primary or election, any money, property or other thing of value whatsoever in return for the vote of any elector.”

CCD contacted Robert Joyce at the North Carolina School of Government at UNC Chapel Hill. Mr. Joyce is the Charles Edwin Hinsdale Professor of Public Law and Government and is an expert, among other areas, in elections law. “That statute has never been interpreted in that manner.” Mr. Joyce stated. Mr. Joyce pointed out that it is possible that the statute could be used in an attempt to prosecute, but re-iterated that, “It has simply never been applied in that way.”

CCD asked Chairman Raymond if he intended to prosecute any professors or teachers who offered extra credit to their students for doing their civic duty and voting- even if the educator in question did not demand the students vote for a particular party, candidate, or ballot initiative. Raymond hesitated, then said. “If I were them I would walk very carefully and follow the law.”

[malthaussen]

1. Strictly speaking, he has a point.

The normal interpretation of the statute would be in reference to voting for a particular candidate or proposition, but the wording does not make that clear.

However, the Sherf needs to "walk very carefully" himself, because if he does try to enforce the law on that basis, he'd damned well better not do it in such a way as to leave himself open to charges of selective enforcement.

As an intimidation tactic, I'd say it ranks about with that Nigerian e-mail from the FBI that was just posted over in the Lounge.

-- Mal

[jberryhill]

5. Go get the people handing out "I voted" stickers!

[Lee-Lee]

2. The way the statute is written

You could, in theory, prosecute for rewarding people for voting even if you didn't demand they vote in a certain way.

If extra credit is a "thing of value", that would be an interesting thing for the courts to examine and rule on.

[Journeyman]

3. I hope he does. Why do you wish to encourage unmotivated people to vote? . . .

[Pab Sungenis]

4. To motivate them, perhaps?

To study the issues and vote?

[Journeyman]

13. Yes, because teabaggers are so versed in the issues and only vote their own interests. . .

They are highly motivated voters, that's for certain. How much effort to you suspect they put into making their decisions?

What guarantee do you have that a college idiot whose primary motivation to vote is to gain extra credit in a class is going to do any studying of the issues whatsoever? And why do you wish to encourage such low-information people to get anywhere near a ballot box? Participation in the voting process doesn't equate to even rudimentary understanding of its implications.

If this "professor" wanted to impact the process meaningfully, he'd do his job, educate his students, and let them make the decision that voting is in their best interest (and not just an easy way to squeak a 'C' out of a required poli-sci class).

I'm adamantly opposed to voter suppression of any sorts. But I'm equally opposed to efforts to bribe the ill-informed and the easily-swayed to vote, as well.

[liberal N proud]

9. Shouldn't we be doing everything to encourage people to vote?

Only republicans want people to stay home, it is the only way they can win elections.

[Journeyman]

17. I'm hardly a Republican, but I certainly don't want the ill-informed anywhere near a ballot box. . .

Let this "professor" do his job and educate his students. From their enlightened minds they will find the wherewithal to make their own decision to vote in their own interest and that of their community. Bribing 'em just encourages the ill-informed to participate.

Encourage people to vote? Solid. Bribe the ignorant to participate solely to pass some bonehead's class? I can't see how that would further the interests of the community whatsoever.

[liberal N proud]

19. Voting is a civic duty

Informing the voters is the responsibility of the public and the media.

You should be calling for programs that educate voters vs. decrying programs that promote voting.

[Journeyman]

20. You go ahead, support bribery to your hearts desire. . .

[liberal N proud]

22. I believe everyone should be compelled to vote under law.

It works very well in one very peaceful European country.

This country teeters on status with some third world dictatorships with the way we do everything to discourage or block people from voting. Bribery? LOL!

[Tommy_Carcetti]

11. Motivating people to vote is good. nt

[Journeyman]

16. Yes. But bribing the unmotivated to check boxes so they can pass some bonehead's class?. . .

Not so good. And subject to a whole rash of abuses and ill-considered decision making.

Let this "professor" do his job and educate his students. From their enlightened minds they will find the wherewithal to make their own decision to vote in their own interest and that of their community. Bribing 'em just encourages the ill-informed to participate.

It's like the plan floated some year's back in Arizona, to enter all who vote in a giant lottery. Who could seriously argue that this would encourage the hoi-polloi to research issues and vote in a manner benefitting us all?

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/17/us/17voter.html?_r=0

[Chiyo-chichi]

6. Strictly sepaking, then, that "I voted" sticker is a "thing of value."

Maybe one-tenth of a cent, but still...

One could also put a monetary value on a ride to the polls.

This is idiocy.

[CBGLuthier]

7. Damn it the only sheriff in NC I could agree with was Sheriff Taylor but no, this one is right too.

You can not bribe people to vote.

[Snotcicles]

8. I was taught it was my duty, but I grew up in a different time. nt

[Tommy_Carcetti]

10. So if a business gives a discount to someone with an "I voted" sticker....

....would they be prosecuted as well?

What a waste of time and space. It's not like they're giving extra credit to vote for a specific candidate.

[d_r]

15. only if

the person with the "I voted" sticker looks like the might have voted for a democrat.

[SwissTony]

12. I don't get it. If I write an essay or sit a French test or a maths test in school or college

why should I get extra marks because I voted?

Am I missing something?

[d_r]

14. folks.

the interpretation of the law doesn't matter. It is a threat. He is just making a threat. It is voter intimidation. They are nuts in NC to try to keep students from voting. This is intimidation to try to keep them from turning out. The purpose is to intimidate and keep someone from coming, not for prosecuting over it.

[TalkingDog]

18. Thank you. I was thinking... "Way to miss the point." nt

[cthulu2016]

21. 1) Extra credit for voting is clearly wrong. 2) Prosecution would be silly.

[LanternWaste]

23. I'd better 'fess up now, and give all the credibility due to any half-witted, sub-literate idiot who

Uh oh. I told my co-worker in 2004 I'd take her out to lunch if she voted, regardless of for whom she voted. She did, and lunch was quite pleasant.

I suppose I'd better 'fess up now, and give all the credibility due to any half-witted, sub-literate idiot who thinks I bribed a low-information, unmotivated individual.