Three Guilty of Conspiring to Buy Votes in N.C. Election

[NNN0LHI]

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGAWJNYJAUD.html

STATESVILLE, N.C. (AP) - Three men have been convicted on charges they bought votes for the November 2002 election in Caldwell County.

A federal jury determined Friday that Wayne Shatley, Carlos Hood and Ross Banner conspired to pay voters to register and vote with the purpose of securing the elections of Republican candidates. Sisters Anita and Valerie Moore pleaded guilty earlier in the year and testified against the men.

Prosecution witnesses testified they were paid $25 to vote for Sheriff Gary Clark or a straight Republican ticket and $10 to register to vote.

Clark, who won the election, has said the defendants had nothing to do with his campaign.

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[ex_jew]

1. But doesn't the almighty secret ballot prevent such a thing ?

Obviously not. Yet here we are locked into an impossible situation vis-a-vis electronic voting machines, which could be easily avoided if not for the frikkin' secret ballot. Cast your ballot (which has your name on it), keep a carbon copy, and if any doubt arises, the election results can be traced to the individual voters. Simple. No chance for fraud.

[jburton]

2. kick nt

:kick: