5 ms·

Florida law on this should be concerning for Bloomberg: http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?mode=View%20Statutes&SubMenu=1&App_mode=Display_Statute&S

Florida law on this should be concerning for Bloomberg: http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?mode=View%20Statutes&SubMenu=1&App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=104.061&URL=0100-0199/0104/Sections/0104.061.html http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?mode=View%20St... Whoever by bribery, menace, threat, or other corruption whatsoever, either directly or indirectly, attempts to influence, deceive, or deter any elector in voting or interferes with him or her in the free exercise of the elector’s right to vote at any election commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084 for the first conviction, and a felony of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084, for any subsequent conviction. (2) No person shall directly or indirectly give or promise anything of value to another intending thereby to buy that person’s or another’s vote or to corruptly influence that person or another in casting his or her vote. Any person who violates this subsection is guilty of a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. However, this subsection shall not apply to the serving of food to be consumed at a political rally or meeting or to any item of nominal value which is used as a political advertisement, including a campaign message designed to be worn by a person.

evgen 6y ago
No, Bloomberg does not have anything to fear from claims of bribery or trying to buy votes. As long as this policy is applied to anyone who applies for it regardless of any stated voting intention. It is not illegal for political parties to provide rides to the voting booth as long as they offer it to anyone who asks and do not try to influence the voter. In this case Bloomberg is making a guess as to the voting intentions of this group, but there is nothing illegal about this guess as long as there is no quid pro quo either stated or implied.
- Arnt 6y ago
  Isn't this basically the same as offering disabled or infirm people a lift to the polling place? He's spending some money on enabling some people to vote. The difference is that the resource he spends is money, instead of the use of people's time and vehicles.
- throwaway0a5e 6y ago
  > As long as this policy is applied to anyone who applies for it regardless of any stated voting intention. It is not illegal for political parties to provide rides to the voting booth as long as they offer it to anyone who asks and do not try to influence the voter. It's very possible to offer something to everyone but ensure that "your team" makes up the bulk of the people taking up the offer.
mcv 6y ago
As long as he pays off the fines unconditionally, without asking them who they'd vote for, then I don't see a problem here.
- chrisco255 6y ago
  "No person shall directly or indirectly give or promise anything of value to another intending thereby to buy that person’s or another’s vote or to corruptly influence that person or another in casting his or her vote." Bloomberg has also pledged $100 million to Biden's campaign and ran as a Democrat in the primary.
  - mcv 6y ago
    I'm all for banning large donations in politics, but apparently that is perfectly legal. It's certainly something that's extremely common for both parties. And I don't think Bloomberg is expecting a political position in exchange, unlike some other people in recent years. Look, I'm not a fan of Bloomberg, and I'm rather disgusted by his attitude that enough money could win him the election. But I also think what he's doing here is honest. He's paying people's fines to give them back their right to vote, which Bloomberg (and many others) think shouldn't have lost in the first place. So it's at least partially a matter of principle; a matter of fighting voter suppression. No doubt he hopes that many of these people will vote Democrat, but he has no guarantee, nor even a promise, that they will. I'm pretty sure many of them won't vote at all, and many others will vote Republican. Maybe more of them will vote Democrat, but most of those 31,000 will not.
- flashyfaffe2 6y ago
  Indeed not a problem per say. However it raises some ambiguities over its real intentions. Timing is too perfect for not pointing that out. But it cannot be blamed blame for working out the system here.
  - newen 6y ago
    There are no ambiguities over its real intentions. It won't run in court but it's very clear what he is doing.
tomohawk 6y ago
Especially when his widely publicized declared intent is to influence the vote on FL. He has the means. He's declared his motive. He's taking advantage of the opportunity.

evgen 6y ago

No, Bloomberg does not have anything to fear from claims of bribery or trying to buy votes. As long as this policy is applied to anyone who applies for it regardless of any stated voting intention. It is not illegal for political parties to provide rides to the voting booth as long as they offer it to anyone who asks and do not try to influence the voter. In this case Bloomberg is making a guess as to the voting intentions of this group, but there is nothing illegal about this guess as long as there is no quid pro quo either stated or implied.

Arnt 6y ago
Isn't this basically the same as offering disabled or infirm people a lift to the polling place? He's spending some money on enabling some people to vote. The difference is that the resource he spends is money, instead of the use of people's time and vehicles.
throwaway0a5e 6y ago
> As long as this policy is applied to anyone who applies for it regardless of any stated voting intention. It is not illegal for political parties to provide rides to the voting booth as long as they offer it to anyone who asks and do not try to influence the voter. It's very possible to offer something to everyone but ensure that "your team" makes up the bulk of the people taking up the offer.

mcv 6y ago

As long as he pays off the fines unconditionally, without asking them who they'd vote for, then I don't see a problem here.

chrisco255 6y ago
"No person shall directly or indirectly give or promise anything of value to another intending thereby to buy that person’s or another’s vote or to corruptly influence that person or another in casting his or her vote." Bloomberg has also pledged $100 million to Biden's campaign and ran as a Democrat in the primary.
- mcv 6y ago
  I'm all for banning large donations in politics, but apparently that is perfectly legal. It's certainly something that's extremely common for both parties. And I don't think Bloomberg is expecting a political position in exchange, unlike some other people in recent years. Look, I'm not a fan of Bloomberg, and I'm rather disgusted by his attitude that enough money could win him the election. But I also think what he's doing here is honest. He's paying people's fines to give them back their right to vote, which Bloomberg (and many others) think shouldn't have lost in the first place. So it's at least partially a matter of principle; a matter of fighting voter suppression. No doubt he hopes that many of these people will vote Democrat, but he has no guarantee, nor even a promise, that they will. I'm pretty sure many of them won't vote at all, and many others will vote Republican. Maybe more of them will vote Democrat, but most of those 31,000 will not.
flashyfaffe2 6y ago
Indeed not a problem per say. However it raises some ambiguities over its real intentions. Timing is too perfect for not pointing that out. But it cannot be blamed blame for working out the system here.
- newen 6y ago
  There are no ambiguities over its real intentions. It won't run in court but it's very clear what he is doing.

tomohawk 6y ago

Especially when his widely publicized declared intent is to influence the vote on FL. He has the means. He's declared his motive. He's taking advantage of the opportunity.