[Luis Gonzalez]

.....

I am going to be away from my computer for a few hours, but would love some learned opinions on this.

Luis

[Luis Gonzalez]

Any thoughts?

[Luis Gonzalez]

Any thoughts?

[Luis Gonzalez]

Any thoughts?

[js1138]

Is it illegal to make recommendations, or was there some intent to vote illegally?

[AbnSarge]

How 'bout that separation of church and state?

Oh, that's right, that only applies when it's a conservative

[eureka!]

In California, yes. Probably elsewhere too. Contact your local or state Republican campaign office or the Secretary of State...

[Cacophonous]

Proof of electoral shenanigans?

Three words:

SENATOR HILLARY CLINTON

[Sabertooth]

:Isn't there supposed to be some sort of information on these hand outs as to who paid for the political ad?

Luis, we're Republicans. Don't you know it's "voter intimidation" either to ask or answer questions like that?

Dwelling on little things like election law is liable to scare away Democrat constituencies. Here's another example.

Actually, I think you're onto something. My mailbox is full of flyers like this from advocacy groups, and they all have a declaration somewhere as to the group that is originating them. I'm sure that's a Federal disclosure rule, not exclusive to California.

While we're on the subject of shenanigans, I'm not a big fan of early or absentee voting anyway (military and foreign service personnel excepted.) Too much opportunity for fraud.

[rellimpank]

--those subversives (angry white males, all of them) that fomented the American Revolution in print, did a lot of their writing anonymously--

[Sabertooth]

Troublemaker.

[Spunky]

Isn't there supposed to be some sort of information on these hand outs as to who paid for the political ad?

I think there is information on the card who paid for them.

Every position says, DEM, DEM, DEM, DEM, DEM, DEM, DEM, DEM, DEM, DEM.;-)

[bert]

I would argue that this an attempt to educate voters and is not only legal, but effective. The way to counter such moves is to make Republican cards and work the streets.

Of interest to me would be the ministers race. I have heard that black churches are political organizations and ministers receive "walking around money" to purvey the partyline message. If the minister is black, it would lend credance to the rumor. If white or hispanic, would indicate a more widespread practice.

Of real interest and of some legal importance would be providing the message and distributing the cards in the church on Sunday morning. You could do us a great service by attending services on next Sunday morning to see and to hear first hand. I must admit that I have almost visited such a church on Sunday but chickened.

[Between the Lines]

The 2001 Florida Statutes


http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=Ch0106/titl0106.htm&StatuteYear=2001&Title=-%3E2001-%3EChapter%20106

check out 106.143 and 106.1437

[Hildy]

I don't see the harm. Church groups give out their recommendations. Heck, I go to Roger Hedgecock's website here in San Diego and (usually) vote whatever he says.

[Between the Lines]

Churches and Their
Legal Role in Politics....

http://www.familypolicy.net/tips/churches-pol.shtml

As the representative of a church, the pastor can not endorse, promote or oppose political candidates, campaigns or parties. However, as an individual, the pastor may exercise his First Amendment right by involvement in any political activity he chooses.

[windchime]

Bump! Hope you get some good info, Luis.

[mamarainsberry]

No suprise!! The teachers union does it every election. You get a list of suggested votes. I got one for the Presidential election said I should vote for Gore/Lieberman (yeah right) and Sunday a guy from the Local union came around trying to get my husband who is (rabid) anti-union to vote for the union "suggested" slate. All (d) after their names. HAHAHA too bad they can't go in the booth with me, only in IRAQ! So far.

[RMDupree]

Luis - I left a message on your cell.

I spoke with Mary Ellen Miller, Chairman of the GOD here in Miami-Dade County and she is going to have the GOP Headquarters call me back on this. Hang on to the original card, buddy. They are going to need it as evidence!! Woo-HOO!!

Also, try to get the name of this local minister if you can. Mary Ellen was very nice and explained that many of the people nn that community are intimidated.

[barkeep]

Were this a complete, uneditorialized copy of the ballot, that might skate, but this is obviuosly partisan, only Dems listed, and any amendment which involved throwing tax money at po' folk or teachers was favored. Yes, luis, this is a violation, but getting the Sec. of State's office to put this high on the agenda in a state with Florida's problems would not be a good bet.

If you want to do something effective on voter fraud, check out Fl. law on poll watchers, especially as regards signature verification on mailed in ballots. That is a huge window of opportunity for fraud.

Given a bankroll, I could get near anyone elected in Oregon, which went to ALL ballots by mail, saving money, don't you know.

Picture this: Some statewide races end up costing $20+ per vote actually cast for that candidate. Give me a pocket full of money, I can walk in any lower class, blue collar gin mill (the sort I have worked for twenty years) and walk out with a briefcase full of blank ballots, $5 per max. Signature verification? Buy a round for the house and have an autograph party.

My opinion, mail in ballots are the single most fertile field for fraud going now. I speak from some experience, I have been a precinct election judge for 10 years now.

[HairOfTheDog]

I am really confused by the design of it! What is it about forms designed in Florida?

I guess the answer to whether there has to be disclosure on who paid for it would be tied to who DID pay for it.

If you or I paid for and distributed it, or some other private enterprise, then I don't think we would have to disclose that any more than any other document we privately create.

If a campaign DID pay for it, I think they have to say so. If the church paid for it (as hinted at by the fact he is a minister) I don't know how a church's non-profit status limits them on political issues.