States forced to offer rewards for reporting illegal voter fraud (voters, security)

[johnsonkk]

More and more states are concerned of illegal voting activity, voter intimidation, and other felonies being committed in American voters in 2016.

As a result, states are offering rewards for reporting illegal voter fraud and the award amounts range from $1,000 to $5,000.

Rising voter fraud concerns in Texas prompt $5,000 tip hotline | The Star-Telegram

What should be considered a civic duty is having to create an incentive for citizens to report visible voter fraud in this election.

Will all states offer a similar award system to stamp out voter fraud?

[biscuitmom]

Oh good grief. Aaron Harris, who is offering the "reward", is a right wing nut job rabble-rouser here in TX.

Persons who suspect voter fraud should report it to their county elections official - who in 90+ % of TX counties is a Republican. Or they can report it to the SOS, who has jurisdiction over elections and is also a Republican. These agencies are the only ones who can legally handle it. About the Elections Division

The Secretary of State is the chief election officer for the State of Texas. The Secretary of State’s Elections Division provides assistance and advice to election officials on the proper conduct of elections. This includes hosting seminars and elections schools, providing calendars, ballot certification, primary election funding, and legal interpretations of election laws to election officials. We also provide assistance to the general public on voter registration and other election issues through our 1-800 toll-free number, 1-800-252-VOTE (8683), and via the Internet.

Offering high $ rewards is a sure fire way to overwhelm those agencies with phony tips. But if someone wants to try to get the $ from Harris, all I can say is make sure you get it in cash, don't take a check from him.

edit to add: committing voter fraud is a felony as is interfering with the right of a person to vote. If a person were to wrongfully report a "tip" to Mr. Harris, who then unlawfully interfered, then the person who made the report would be subject to prosecution for a felony conspiracy. Accepting money for the report wouldn't help that person's cause. Just saying. Whereas reporting suspected fraud to a proper county or state official would not put the reporter in legal jeopardy.

[biscuitmom]

Also this seems like a good thread to point out that the RNC is under consent decree to not attempt to intimidate voters and is begging people to steer clear.
https://electionlawblog.org/?p=85289\
RNC Asks Members to Avoid Poll Watching, Other

The Republican National Committee asked members to avoid election-related “ballot security” activities, such as poll watching in their capacity as Republican Party officers, citing a decades-old court settlement restricting such activities by national GOP officials.

Granted, it technically applies only to RNC members but that's a slippery slope, and Mr. Harris might need reconsider before acting upon any "tips".

[eddiehaskell]

If he wants to offer a reward, I say go for it. People with the money should do the same thing in all states.

[bUU]

Originally Posted by biscuitmom

Also this seems like a good thread to point out that the RNC is under consent decree to not attempt to intimidate voters and is begging people to steer clear.

So effectively, the only significant evidence of tampering with the vote in the past has been on the part of the Republicans.