More rumors are flying about certain landlords offering to fore go or substantially reduce a month's rent for some renters who agree to vote for the landlords' candidates of choice.
The offers seem to vary, from a whole month's rent, to an offer of 40% off to a paltry $40.
In today's economy, $40 is definitely affordable for those landlords, and a welcome couple bags of groceries for each of the voters.
It seems that in Maryland, it's not illegal to sell your vote. It is, however, illegal to buy one. For each offense, the penalty is $2500 and/or 90 days.
If one, just one person came up and was willing to swear that he or she was approached with an offer by a landlord or agent to have their vote bought, they would send a clear message to anyone who is of sufficiently low standards and foolish enough to actually purchase votes.
Similarly, the state laws also state that coercion, threat and promise of reward are also prohibited. Same fines and jail time.
Anyone who has received such an offer or threat, etc. or knows for a fact that one or more offer has been made is encouraged to contact Joe Albero via email at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com. Confidentiality is guaranteed.
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
12 comments:
I'd say "sure" and then vote for Jim anyway. But I don't rent.
Naturally anyone who has been offered this "discount" is going to be in fear of retaliation-they could maybe find a lawyer to protect their interests but then again all the lawyers in Salisbury rub elbows with the landlords.....
We knew that it would happen (again)!
So, let's find them a lawyer from out of town, or with the ACLU. Nothing like getting the ACLU down here to get someone's attention.
If we need to, let's have a fund-raising effort to pay for one. No big deal.
Vote buying is nasty business. People don't like their votes being stepped on by paid ones, and revile those who do the buying.
dont forget about the crime solvers rewards......
How do you think our entire goverment functions? They are all whores.
Not all lawyers rub elbows with the slumlords. There are some who actually go after them. You just don't hear about it. One just had a small, but noble win against Donnie Williams.
Maryland Code, Section 13-602 (a)(1) A person may not directly or indirectly give, offer, or promise money, aid, a gift, an advantage, a preferment, an emolument, or any other valuable thing to another person for the purpose of inducing or procuring that person to vote or refrain from voting for or against: (i) an individual at an election.
(a)(2) A person may not directly or indirectly receive, accept, request, or solicit money, aid, a gift, an advantage, a preferment, an emolument, or any other valuable thing from another person for the purpose of inducing or procuring a third person to vote or refrain from voting for or against an individual at an election.
(a)(3) A person may not vote or refrain from voting for or against an individual, ... at an election in consideration of money, aid, a gift, an advantage, a preferment, an emolument, or any other valuable thing paid, received, accepted, or promised to the advantage of that person or of another person.
(b) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is: (1) Subject to a fine not exceeding $1,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 1 year or both; and (2) Ineligible to hold any public or party office for 4 years after the date of the offense.
Maryland Code, Section 16-201 (a) A person may not willfully and knowingly: (5) Influence or attempt to influence a voter’s voting decision through the use of force, threat, menace, intimidation, bribery, reward, or offer of reward. (b) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to a fine of not more than $2,500 or imprisonment for not more than 5 years or both.
Any person who can provide evidence enough to obtain a conviction against Gary and loses their dwelling space as a result can have a room at my house for a year at 10% off!!!
This would effectively remove Gary from the Council immediately!
Oops! guess I can't buy evidence either...
Stay tuned . . .
Anonymous said...
Not all lawyers rub elbows with the slumlords. There are some who actually go after them. You just don't hear about it. One just had a small, but noble win against Donnie Williams.
3:40 PM
Do tell... enquiring minds want to know.
What attorney will take on a case like this???
I want to know!
I was on the phone with Annapolis this morning and they say that the Maryland Board of Elections offers NO, ZERO, ZILCH protection, or oversight to Municipal elections!
I asked who did, they said "The Courts".
What attorney will take on a case like this?
Between votes being bought and BS absentee ballots, to discrepancies in District Lines, there are a lot of problems with our local elections and until someone steps in they will remain corrupt!
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