Should you be able to sell your vote?

[MaC]

I say as long as other people aren't coercing you to.

[2952-0-0]

What do you mean by "selling your vote"? If you vote for a politician who promises pork projects, does that count? If someone promises tax rebates, does that count? If you mean by whether it should be legal to bribe others to vote for you, I say no. If you want to become a public official, you have to act like one, and that includes not taking/giving bribes.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

Obviously it's illegal if they can verify who you voted for.

[Speed of Sound]

Im split on this one.

Yes because that vote is yours and you should be able to do what u want with it.

No because it corrupts the system and turns America into an aristocracy.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

Wow, that's worrisome that so many people voted or are considering voting yes.

[Nym90]

No, clearly not.

[Max]

My first thought was: "Yes, why not? I would never buy or sell a vote, but if others do I don't care.

Then I read this sentence...

No because it corrupts the system and turns America into an aristocracy.

...and now it seems to me clear as daylight that SoS is right and it has to be illegal!

[MaC]

No because it corrupts the system and turns America into an aristocracy.

Like I said, if it is not coerced, then nobody could buy it from you unwillingly.  From what Dean is asking:  I mean putting your vote up for auction or trading, selling it to another individual. 

BTW, why is it when I use an apostrophe I cannot type it in and it goes into another box?  Anyone else know this phenomeneon or can explain why it is doing this?

[opebo]

No because it corrupts the system and turns America into an aristocracy.

America is already an aristocracy, obviously.

[Hatman 🍁]

All votes are bought in some way or fashion.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

No. Absolutely not. It is not yours to sell anyway (just as you shouldn't be allowed to sell your family).
O/c it does go on in limited forms; there were some nasty cases of "treating" over here in the recent local elections (although only one treater got in; and she would have anyway).

[Ebowed]

I don't think so.  While my first reaction to this poll was that someone should be able to do whatever they want with their vote, there are two moral problems that arise with this: first, it is obviously immoral to use one's right to vote for monetary compensation, and second, how does the person responsible for payment check whether or not the person voted the way they promised they would?  This idea essentially violates the principle of the secret ballot, making it immoral on a second level.  On the other hand, the issue of how easily this can be enforced does arise, although it should be fairly clear that anyone who is caught directly giving money to people in exchange for them to vote for a certain candidate should be convicted of bribery.  It does make one think, however, about the implications of a political candidate promising certain benefits in exchange for votes.  In this instance, perhaps an analogy to prostitution is appropriate: one must spend money in order to go on a date, which can potentially lead to sex, whereas a person directly giving money to a person for sex without any emotional connection is considered prostitution.  While there is truth in the notion that all (or most) votes are bought in some way or another, there is an obvious difference between an actual sold vote and a person being influenced by a promising campaign speech.

[nclib]

No because it corrupts the system and turns America into an aristocracy.

Agreed.

[Undisguised Sockpuppet]

Yes.

[NewFederalist]

Only for a BILLION dollars!

[adam]

No, than huge multi-nationals would be able to just buy off swing states.

[TomC]

No, than huge multi-nationals would be able to just buy off swing states.

I think you underestimate them.

[adam]

No, than huge multi-nationals would be able to just buy off swing states.

I think you underestimate them.

In what sense?

[TomC]

No, than huge multi-nationals would be able to just buy off swing states.

I think you underestimate them.

In what sense?

I think they'd do a lot more than "just buy off the swing states."

[adam]

No, than huge multi-nationals would be able to just buy off swing states.

I think you underestimate them.

In what sense?

I think they'd do a lot more than "just buy off the swing states."

Nah, they would want to be so blatent about it. They would just take what they need and buy enough congressional seats to keep their party of choice in control.

[John Dibble]

Yes, however it should be illegal for others to buy your vote.

[WoosterLibertarian]

Sand castle with a moat! but seriously no because then the richest guy would win.