Food-for-vote flap draws call for integrity
Controversy over accusations that political parties have been using food to obtain votes emerged this week as the latest issue in the South Dakota Secretary of State race, where state Sen. Jason Gant vowed to enhance voter fraud penalties if he is elected to that office.
"I will propose to the next Legislature that we enhance penalties related to offering bribes in exchange for votes," the Sioux Falls Republican said in a statement. "Election integrity is fundamental - we must have elections free from fraud and corruption."
Gant proposes that bribery of a voter - now considered a misdemeanor - be made a felony which could bring prison time.
Gant's opponent, Democratic state Sen. Ben Nesselhuf of Vermillion, said he thinks the proposal is premature, and the appropriate response is to allow the allegations to be investigated.
"I think it's inappropriate to make any sort of knee-jerk reaction before the facts are in," Nesselhuf said. "To make a statement like this before knowing the facts of the situation, I think it's disappointing ... I suspect it has more to do with the election next week than with the integrity of future elections."
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment