University of Minnesota Student Tries to Sell His Vote on EBay
Sanders Thought Selling His Vote was a Joke, but it Turned into a Felony
On May 28, Max Sanders, a 19-year-old from Edina, Minnesota, used the eBay ID "zepdrummer612" to place an eBay listing selling his vote in the next presidential election. The ad read:
"I am having trouble deciding who to vote for in the Presidential Election, so I am putting my vote up for sale. I am a legal resident of the state of Minnesota, and I am 19 years old. I am legally allowed to vote, and I have already voted in one previous election. The rules are simple, the highest bigger will tell me who to cast my vote for in the election. I will vote for any candidate of any party, as long as they are on the ballot. If the highest bidder so chooses, I will also abstain from voting, if that is what they so choose. To prove that I will actually vote for the candidate of the highest bidder's choice, I will photograph myself inside the voting booth with my filled out ballot. Good luck! You're [sic] country depends on You!"
The minimum bid was set at $10. The listing ran on eBay for one week but didn't receive much attention from eBay buyers. The eBay listing ended on June 4, 2008, with no bids.
According to Star Tribune, Sander's eBay listing did catch the attention of the California Secretary of State's office. Their office contacted the Minnesota Secretary of State's office. A Hennepin County attorney was notified and sent a subpoena to eBay requesting the identity and billing information of the seller.
The seller, Max Sanders, says the eBay listing was only a joke.
That joke could end up being a very costly joke for Sanders. A 1893 Minnesota law makes it a crime to knowingly buy or sell a vote. Sanders has been charged with a felony and is facing 0 to 5 years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine.
Breaking the 1893 Minnesota law was popular back in the 1920s, when people would often sell their vote in exchange for liquor. But Hennepin County Attorney Pat Diamond cannot remember any modern day cases.
In the 2000 election another person attempted to sell his vote on eBay. His ad read:
"The 2000 election vote of one U.S. citizen who is a registered voter in Maryland in the United States. You may specify whom I vote for in the presidential and all other elections in my district, by name or by party. Why should the American citizen be left out? Congressmen and senators regularly sell their votes to the highest bidder. Democracy for sale!"
The seller, Bryan Ward of Ellicott, Maryland, created the listing to protest the extreme influence of corporate financing in politics. While Ward could have faced penalties of up to $2,500 and imprisonment of up to five years, it is unknown whether or not Maryland's Attorney General ever followed up on the case.
Sources:
Abby Simons, "One vote: Going once, going twice, charged!" Star Tribune, July 4, 2008
Julie Rose, "Edina Teen Charged for Trying to Sell Vote on eBay" Myfoxtwincities.com, July 3, 2008
Richard Stenger, "Constituent Puts vote up for sale on eBay", CNN.com, August 16, 2000
Published by Julie Lind
Julie Lind is a piano teacher, mother, composer and a writer. View profile
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8 Comments
Post a CommentInfluence for sale takes any form but usually people are more subtle about selling out to the highest bidder. Thanks for the informative report!
In lieu of prison, I think he should plea bargain for a lesser sentence...something like, hmm...enlisting for 4 years. Between Selective Service, Congress, and the President, they certainly ought to be able to work that out so the punishment fits the crime. LOL!
Wow. What is up with people. Great information enjoyed the read!
This is my neighbor!!!!!! :)
interesting! how would the police have responded if it he *hadn't* been joking...
Great reporting!
Maybe the U of Mn. needs to require some basic US gov. classes. Also interesting is how easily eBay gave up the user. Good report!
Super reporting!!