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February 29, 2008
Candidates bringing food to poll workers is a bad idea
People, we're trying to lessen the effects of corruption and undue influence in the election process, not open more opportunities for questions and grey areas. I have to agree with Ben Cunningham, Rep. Frank Buck, and others who find a bill that would allow candidates to bring food to election workers not only pointless, but stupidly wrong.
There are too many times already (including, it was rumored, during a certain special election last Fall) when, even though it's against the rules, candidates waltz into polling places and act far too chummy with voters. Now we want to encourage this behavior by allowing the same candidates to bring pizza to poll workers? I can't see this as a good thing.
Yes, as I wrote this week in the Pulse, something needs to be done about the situations facing election workers (and their clients, the voters). I don't think college credit is the answer; but even if that were to pass, it wouldn't be inherently bad. What is inherently bad is this idea that candidates can supply them with munchies, without anyone sensing the slightest smidgen of impropriety.
That's it: I am fortunate to enjoy a relatively generous vacation benefit from my employer. From now on, I will be using a vacation day on each election day to work the polls — so sign me up, Mr. Knowles. And I'll bring my own sandwich, thank you.
Elections | By joe lance | 07:35 PM