It's illegal to buy or to even try to buy votes in elections.
It's a fine line, because ONLY the voter can enter a voting booth.
So knowing HOW a person actually voted, versus just knowing THAT they voted, is an unknown.
It's OK to have people with signs stationed outside polls at the minimum distances.
It's OK to have sample ballots that are mailed/handed out that voters CAN take into voting booths with them.
It's OK to drive people to the polls so that they can vote.
But is it OK to pay people to vote?
How about sending out an email promoting a candidate with a reward for voting?
Check it out for yourself:
The promotion APPEARED to be sent out by Judge Erin Leigh Waddell Garrett.
The promotion did NOT require a vote for Erin Leigh to get the $5 reward.
The promotion was NOT sent out by Erin Leigh or her campaign.
The promotion did NOT say "Paid for by Erin Leigh Waddell - Garrett", or her campaign.
The promotion was ACTUALLY an email from BeauJax Craft House, a restaurant/bar in Bossler’s East Bank District.
So where do you draw the line on campaign tactics by someone running for judge?
Obviously, Erin Leigh KNEW and APPROVED the "get paid to vote" promotion featuring her campaign.
Was this a veiled attempt buy votes, thinking that no one who voted for her opponent would have the gall to ask for the free money?
Was this an attempt to lure otherwise lackadaisical voters to go to the polls for a five spot?
The email was forwarded to many public officials:
Caddo Clerk of Court who oversees Caddo voting polls;
Louisiana Secretary of State who regulates and governs Louisiana elections;
Louisiana Attorney General who prosecutes voter fraud; and the
Judiciary Commission of Louisiana who regulates and governs Louisiana judges and judicial candidates.
This voter promotion set a precedent for elections in Northwest Louisiana. The overwhelming sentiment of those viewing the email ranged from disbelief to disgust to anger, and rightfully so.
Is this type of voter promotion to become the norm for future elections in this day of electronic communication?
And is this an appropriate campaign tactic for a candidate seeking a judgeship, much less a sitting judge in an election?
For those that were disappointed, disgusted, or repulsed by the pay for vote email, the election results were some solace. Erin Leigh lost and lost by a large margin.