I need some opinions on possible evidence of electoral shenanigans.

Vanity | 10/23/02 | Luis Gonzalez

[Luis Gonzalez]

In was having lunch yesterday with a customer, in his Liberty City restaurant, when our table was approached by a well-dressed man.

He was well acquainted with my friend/customer, and began making conversation about the upcoming elections.

He handed my friend a listing of precints open and available for "early voting", then handed him what he called an something like an informative card, to help with the issues and candidates.

My friend introduced this man as a local Minister ot considerable influence.

I grabbed the "informative" card, and threw it in my briefcase, then, as he and I exchanged some pleasntries, my friend informed the Minister that I was a Republican.

He shook my hand, and left.

The cards are posted below.

I have a question:

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

[Atlas Sneezed]

...if a group same thing...if a church... they may have broken IRS law by mixing politics and religion.

If the church has 501 c 3 status, it could lose it for becoming involved in supporting parties or candidates. Of course, as a practical matter, this only applies to Conservative churches. Churches filled with Demo-rat voters always get a "pass," to wit Je$$e Jackson and his "church."

[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]

Any thoughts?

Yeah, I have some thoughts. But they would get me banned!

[RMDupree]

But, I should add that now I am clear on how to vote on all of the issues.

I simply do the opposite. :)

[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.

[RMDupree]

GOD = GOP!

Oops!

[RMDupree]

Got called back right away from GOP. I sent them the link to this thread to they can follow up on this possible illegality.

RE: CFR. Luis, I'm not sure on the details in this new law. 60 days? Hmmmm....

[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.

[ladyinred]

It has long amazed me, I must say, that RATS get away with politicing in Black Churches. Can't imagine how hysterical the media would be if Pubbies did this! Well, actually, I guess I can. I recall that Ashcroft got blasted by the media for speaking at a Christian University. They didn't agree with the views of that particular faith and demonized him and the school. Bob Jones wasn't it?

[no dems]

Yea. And have you noticed that the Sunday before every election, the black churches are overrun with politicians; black and white. Al Gore went into a black church during the 2000 Prez election and sounded like an evangelist. Why is it that nothing is ever said? But, a White pastor (which is what I am) has to be very careful not to endanger the chruch's tax exempt status by making political statements from the pulpit. WHAT'S WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE? I think that Luis needs to contact the County GOP Headquarters.

[Luis Gonzalez]

"I think that Luis needs to contact the County GOP Headquarters."

Ruthy Dupree got me on a three-way call with the Miami-Dade GOP. They took the information, and requested a link to this post.

They also asked me to hold on to the card.

[Luis Gonzalez]

The 2001 Florida Statutes

Title IX Electors And Elections

Chapter 106 Campaign Financing

View Entire Chapter

106.143  Political advertisements circulated prior to election; requirements.--

(1)  Any political advertisement and any campaign literature published, displayed, or circulated prior to, or on the day of, any election shall:

(a)  Be marked "paid political advertisement" or with the abbreviation "pd. pol. adv."

(b)  Identify the persons or organizations sponsoring the advertisement.

(c)1.a.  State whether the advertisement and the cost of production is paid for or provided in kind by or at the expense of the entity publishing, displaying, broadcasting, or circulating the political advertisement; or

b.  State who provided or paid for the advertisement and cost of production, if different from the source of sponsorship.

2.  This paragraph shall not apply if the source of the sponsorship is patently clear from the content or format of the political advertisement or campaign literature.

This subsection does not apply to campaign messages used by a candidate and the candidate's supporters if those messages are designed to be worn by a person.

(2)  Any political advertisement of a candidate running for partisan office shall express the name of the political party of which the candidate is seeking nomination or is the nominee. If the candidate for partisan office is running as a candidate with no party affiliation, any political advertisement of the candidate must state that the candidate has no party affiliation.

(3)  It is unlawful for any candidate or person on behalf of a candidate to represent that any person or organization supports such candidate, unless the person or organization so represented has given specific approval in writing to the candidate to make such representation. However, this subsection does not apply to:

(a)  Editorial endorsement by any newspaper, radio or television station, or other recognized news medium.

(b)  Publication by a party committee advocating the candidacy of its nominees.

(4)(a)  Any political advertisement, including those paid for by a political party, other than an independent expenditure, offered by or on behalf of a candidate must be approved in advance by the candidate. Such political advertisement must expressly state that the content of the advertisement was approved by the candidate and must state who paid for the advertisement. The candidate shall provide a written statement of authorization to the newspaper, radio station, television station, or other medium for each such advertisement submitted for publication, display, broadcast, or other distribution.

(b)  Any person who makes an independent expenditure for a political advertisement shall provide a written statement that no candidate has approved the advertisement to the newspaper, radio station, television station, or other medium for each such advertisement submitted for publication, display, broadcast, or other distribution. The advertisement must also contain a statement that no candidate has approved the advertisement.

(c)  This subsection does not apply to campaign messages used by a candidate and his or her supporters if those messages are designed to be worn by a person.

(5)  No political advertisement of a candidate who is not an incumbent of the office for which the candidate is running shall use the word "re-elect." Additionally, such advertisement must include the word "for" between the candidate's name and the office for which the candidate is running, in order that incumbency is not implied. This subsection does not apply to bumper stickers or items designed to be worn by a person.

(6)  This section does not apply to novelty items having a retail value of $10 or less which support, but do not oppose, a candidate or issue.

(7)  Any political advertisement which is published, displayed, or produced in a language other than English may provide the information required by this section in the language used in the advertisement.

(8)  Any person who willfully violates any provision of this section is subject to the civil penalties prescribed in s. 106.265.

History.--s. 8, ch. 26870, 1951; s. 1, ch. 61-145; s. 21, ch. 65-379; s. 57, ch. 71-136; s. 30, ch. 73-128; s. 52, ch. 77-175; s. 30, ch. 81-304; s. 16, ch. 89-256; s. 35, ch. 90-315; s. 16, ch. 91-107; s. 646, ch. 95-147; s. 17, ch. 97-13; s. 18, ch. 99-318.

Note.--Former s. 104.37.

[Luis Gonzalez]

Hey! If you're out of the swamps, you may want to take a gander at this.

[HairOfTheDog]

Do you know who paid for it or what the distribution of it has been? Who are "The People" in "The People's Slate"?

If I wanted to, I could create a document like that, "HairOfTheDog's Slate", if you will, with my endorsements on everything... and start handing out copies. When am I technically campaigning? - When is it technically an advertisement? If I submitted it to a news organization I would have to disclose, according to 4(b)... but what if I don't?

[RMDupree]

Luis, I believe that the 3 way call was with GOP headquarters, not the Miami Dade branch.

You gotta go straight to the top to get things done quickly and Mary Ellen deserves big FReepin' KUDOS for her response time and efforts!!

[dennisw]

This early voting is bull and will defeat Jeb Bush. Are Democrat voters in Dade too retarded to figure out how to vote on election day? It's written in law that Federal elections are held on the Tuesday after the first Monday. Most states/ counties/cities copy this.

[Luis Gonzalez]

Whoa!

I couldn't tell who I was talking to, other than you that is.

I was busy trying to negotiate my cell phone, a Vente Caramel Macchiatto from Starbuck's, and I-75 traffic.

[RMDupree]

(b) Any person who makes an independent expenditure for a political advertisement shall provide a written statement that no candidate has approved the advertisement to the newspaper, radio station, television station, or other medium for each such advertisement submitted for publication, display, broadcast, or other distribution. The advertisement must also contain a statement that no candidate has approved the advertisement.

My guess is that the Dems will say they knew nothing of this slate card and let the poor minister hang out to dry. And even IF they paid for the cards, they'll be sure to wipe up their tracks so it's never traced back to them.