Voting lottery
 

Last year, a ballot proposition passed to select from all the names of people who vote in general elections, like a lottery or a raffle drawing, a winner of a million dollars. This November will be the first time it comes into effect.

While i voted against it, i will say that at least the authors had the sense to get the money from the unclaimed AZ and powerball lottery winnings pool rather than from general funds.

Do we really want to bribe people who do not stay informed or have no idea what they are voting for voting just so we can say turnout was higher?

I find the whole idea ridiculous.

Doh! So which party does better when more morons vote? Guess I just have to check this goofballs affiliations to find that out.

Also, arn't them exta funds opposed to go for edeucation or some such?

As I understand it, th3e profits from the lotteries go to education. All the winnings that are to be paid out go into a fund. There is a time limit (6 months, I think) to claim prizes. After that time period passes, the money is removed from the fund used to pay the winners.

What is legally binding to do with the unclaimed winnings, I have no idea. I would suspect that if the usage of those particular funds was illegal it would have been challanged in court prior to getting to the ballot, as there were plenty of people opposed to it.

I just don't understand people who can vote that don't vote.
Bleh.

I think a much better way of spending those unclaimed earnings would be to divide them up among the schools. A million dollars could go a long way.

Hey Leo,

You could start a new proposition! ;)

I don't either, GC. However, if someone has to be motivated to vote by the chance to win a million dollars they shouldn't be voting.

I agree with that. Unless I won the million dollars.

Too many people vote as it is, so I would oppose it.

Maybe the polling places can put up those signs that some convenience stores have touting how lucky their lottery machines have been. "We sold the winning vote in the 2008 Spring General Election! Move to this precinct so that you too can vote here."

And I think far too few people vote. I don't care if most of the world are morons ... the more people who vote, the better - says me.

It's always an election-time fantasy of mine to be so filthy, stinking rich that I arrange to hand every American a $20 bill in return for proof that they've voted.

So, yeah, I'm all in favor of the election lottery.

I've voted in every election I could since I was of age. I have proof somewhere. You owe me a lot of money.
:D