Would offering flu shots at a polling place be considered bribery or 'paying for votes'?

Question

In Houston, TX an insurance company (I believe it was) offered free flu shots at polling places to residents in low income areas in order to encourage increased voter turnout. I thought it was a good thing because elderly people would get two benefits - to vote and the free flu shot.
The Republican party threatened to sue the city because most of the polling places that they offered the shots in were in low income areas. So the city withdraw their approval to avoid a law suit.

One other little thing - this must of been the LEAST reported news story because no one I asked about it had heard much about it and I thought it was a big thing.

I thought I'd ask the question here - what do you all think? Was this an illegal act?

Answer 1

Shotys are a very political thing. Most people completely misunderstand shots.
They are of no benefit, except to the drug companies.

Do NOT get vaccinated.

A vaccinated person is MORE likely to get a disease than a non-vaccinated person. The whole theory of vaccination is flawed. It causes a weakening of the immune system thus making those who are innoculated more susceptible to disease.
There are so many awful side effects to vaccination that it should be considered extremely dangerous.
Just sit back and think for a while.
Is there any sense in injecting a disease directly into your body.
We have been subjected to an awful mind control program to enable the drug manufacturers to make a fortune.

The Vaccination Hoax
http://www.whale.to/b/hoax1.html


If you go to the vaccination liberation web page, at
http://www.vaclib.org/exemption.htm
You will find all the forms necessary to provide exemption for your child.

If you want to study the history of vaccination, see
http://dgwa1.fortunecity.com/body/vaccination.html

Answer 2

I would say this would be close to bribery. Bribes are illegal so offering flu shots would be considered a bribe since most persons who are needy tend to vote Democratic.

I'm an RN & I just can't believe the city would involve themselves in something of this nature. Of course, we know the Republicans would never offer 'anything' to the needy--only the rich. My vote is yes, it was illegal.

Answer 3

I think it was permissable, as long as the insurance company did NO advertising or explicit support of any sort regarding any of the propositions or candidates. That would be a conflict of interest and would be bribing voters.

I can see how the Republican party would get their panties in a twist if the insurance company was known to support certain issues or candidates, or if one of the measures up for consideration dealt with flu shots, insurance companies providing health care to seniors, etc.

Answer 4

No, it wasn't illegal. The company that offered up the free flu shots did not state that the recipients must vote democratic in order to get the shot. The offer was available to democrats and republicans alike.

I guess the assumption is that if you're poor, you're a democrat.

Answer 5

If a certain party did it to garner votes, then yes, highly illegal. Now if they had been smart (well then they wouldn't be Democrats) they would have offered the shots in one spot and then used vans to bring people to vote. That would have been legal.

Answer 6

I don't see how that would be illegal. In Arizona we had a proposition that would make a million dollar lottery out of voting, to encourage people to get out and vote. It gives one lucky guy or gal the chance to get rich. So I imagine unless it is a state or city illegal thing then you are good to go.

Answer 7

Again, why does it matter?

My question can be deleted, but it won't really go away..