L.A. Considers Offering Prizes To Vote

[BGIF]

Panel wants L.A. to look at using prizes to boost voter turnout - LA Times

Alarmed that fewer than one-fourth of voters are showing up for municipal elections, the Los Angeles Ethics Commission voted Thursday to recommend that the City Council look at using cash prizes to lure a greater number of people to the polls.

On a 3-0 vote, the panel said it wanted City Council President Herb Wesson's Rules, Elections and Intergovernmental Relations Committee to seriously consider the use of financial incentives and a random drawing during its elections, possibly as soon as next year.

Depending on the source of city funds, the idea could require a ballot measure. Commissioners said they were unsure how big the prizes should be or how many should be offered, saying a pilot program should first be used to test the concept.

"Maybe it's $25,000 maybe it's $50,000," said Commission President Nathan Hochman. "That's where the pilot program comes in -- to figure out what ... number and amount of prizes would actually get people to the voting box."

...

Perhaps if they offered the prizes in Lempira, Pesos, Quetzals, Colons, Yen, or Won ...

Or perhaps as Green Cards ...

 

[Irish YJ]

Free cheese

 

[kmoose]

That's an incredibly dumb idea that only career politicians could come up with.

How long before you see the next candidate for mayor or council (or whomever controls the program) campaign on a platform of raising the cash incentive to vote? And how is that not buying votes?

 

[PANDFAN]

hmmmm let's hand out money to people who have a right to exercise but are choosing not to.....why does this sound soo familiar...oh that's right...some people choose to not work and get food stamps, $ and free health care through medical assistance....yep sounds like a great program to start out

or the other issue is that THEY ARE ALL CORRUPT and it doesn't matter because we are all getting a nice jail sex raping ....and this as mentioned above will def be a platform for each candidate to say they will increase but the ONE who feels this is complete foolishness will not be elected

 

[NDdomer2]

so this is way out in left field. but a couple years ago i said if they want more people to vote make it possible for people to vote online. Obviously would be difficult but its going to be the easiest way to get more turn out.

 

[PANDFAN]

also, the people who vote tend to be the ones who are informed on the candidates...would you really want people coming just to check off whoever and leave to get prize....there arn't enough face palms possible for how incredibly dumb this idea is...

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

also, the people who vote tend to be the ones who are informed on the candidates...would you really want people coming just to check off whoever and leave to get prize....there arn't enough face palms possible for how incredibly dumb this idea is...

That is the danger. People who don't care but want their door prize so they show up and just straight party ticket the whole damned thing. It's likely this would benefit the democrats more but it takes a certain intellectual dishonesty to think this is a good idea.

But, if the name of the game is "win at all costs" laissez-faire capitalism, then perhaps this makes a great deal of sense for the winning party.

 

[wizards8507]

It's likely this would benefit the democrats more but it takes a certain intellectual dishonesty to think this is a good idea.

Likely? Poor urban people vote Democrat, poor rural people vote Republican. A cash incentive in LA would favor Democrats 20 to 1, and I doubt that's an exaggeration.

 

[GowerND11]

so this is way out in left field. but a couple years ago i said if they want more people to vote make it possible for people to vote online. Obviously would be difficult but its going to be the easiest way to get more turn out.

I've always thought this would be an interesting idea if done right.

I've thought for a few years about ways Congress could get their constituents involved in politics and in the creation of laws. I thought about some kind of voting system online where the constituents could review the proposal and then cast their vote in a poll about if they are in favor or not. Obviously that is fairly theoretical and simple compared to probably what would have to be implemented but still it's a start.

 

[itchyBEAR]

this will only accelerate LA's inevitable spiral down the shitter. 3rd world idea for a 3rd world city.

 

[ACamp1900]

I thought they already had an EBT program...???

 

[IrishLax]

Is this even legal?

 

[wizards8507]

Is this even legal?

No, but neither is the executive unilaterally changing acts of Congress, and that happens every day.

 

[Wild Bill]

Is this even legal?

No, but neither is the executive unilaterally changing acts of Congress, and that happens every day.

What difference, at this point, does it make?

 

[Rack Em]

Is this even legal?

Since it would be a law related to voting it would have to pass a strict scrutiny test in the courts. It has to be "necessary to achieve a compelling government purpose/state interest."

If the level of scrutiny is strict, the government nearly always loses. So this is going nowhere.

But it's utterly sad (and reprehensible) that CA legislators are even contemplating this.

 

[Jebediah Springfield]

Panel wants L.A. to look at using prizes to boost voter turnout - LA Times



Perhaps if they offered the prizes in Lempira, Pesos, Quetzals, Colons, Yen, or Won ...

Or perhaps as Green Cards ...

Not even Mexicans want pesos

 

[BGIF]

Is this even legal?

According to the TV news piece I saw Federal election laws prohibit it for Federal election.

They also noted it was illegal in 48 states. If I recall correctly Alaska and CA were the exceptions.

 

[BGIF]

Not even Mexicans want pesos

Eight countries use pesos. L.A. probably covers all of them.

 

[T Town Tommy]

Let me guess...

don't need an ID to vote but they will require one to claim your prize.

 

[BGIF]

Let me guess...

don't need an ID to vote but they will require one to claim your prize.

Priceless!



(It probably depends upon how you voted.)

 

[NDohio]

Let me guess...

don't need an ID to vote but they will require one to claim your prize.

That's awesome.

That lady in Cincinnati that was imprisoned for voting multiple times would be enhancing her chances to win the prize.

 

[ACamp1900]

That's awesome.

That lady in Cincinnati that was imprisoned for voting multiple times would be enhancing her chances to win the prize.

That one lady??... in Cincinnati??

 

[dshans]

If I only had a nickel ...


I could buy a cuppa (no refills) at the local diner.



Or I coulda had a flat screen ...