Report: Iowan tries to sell vote on eBay

By JENNIFER JACOBS • jejacobs@dmreg.com • August 30, 2008

An Iowan apparently tried to sell his or her general election vote on eBay this week.

Secretary of State Michael Mauro said Friday he isn't sure if the listing on the Internet auction Web site was a prank or "dead serious."

The listing appeared to come from someone in Sioux City, but the person has since removed the posting, and no bids were made, Mauro said. State officials do not know who posted the listing.


It's against state law to exchange one's vote for anything of value. The class D felony carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of up to $7,500.

On Thursday, someone in the California elections office notified Iowa elections officials about the Sioux City listing by ryand6781, who posted a starting bid of 99 cents.

"Maybe you are busy and don't have time to vote, maybe you are 700 pounds and can't get out of bed to get to the bathroom let alone the polls, or hey, maybe you just want to vote twice to make sure you get your two cents in," the seller wrote. "Anyhow my vote is up for grabs."

The seller promised free shipping of a photo of himself or herself in the booth making the highest bidder's selection. The Iowa attorney general has been notified, Mauro said.

"The point we're trying to make with this is: whether they're making a joke, this isn't something you want to be doing in any election year," Mauro said. "It will be taken seriously."

Similar auctions in Ohio, Illinois and Maryland prompted officials to take down the postings, including one from a man who offered to film himself inside the voting booth to prove he had voted as promised.

Minnesota authorities in July charged a 19-year-old student with felony bribery under a century-old state law making it a crime to buy or sell a vote.

Authorities later agreed that the charges would be dismissed if the student completes 50 hours of community service within six months.

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/p ... /808300326