This just into the email box from Iowa Secretary of State Michael Mauro, who is the commissioner of elections.
SECRETARY OF STATE MAURO DENOUNCES ATTEMPTED VOTE SALE ONLINE, WARNS OTHERS
DES MOINES – Secretary of State Michael A. Mauro today denounced what appeared to be a pending sale of an Iowan’s vote on eBay, an Internet auction website.
“We will not tolerate anyone tampering with our elections. This person removed the posting and it appears as though it may have been a prank,” said Secretary Mauro. “However, let this be a warning to others that this state takes the handling of our elections seriously and will not let the voting process be jeopardized.”
On Thursday, Aug. 28, the Secretary of State’s Office was made aware of an eBay listing auctioning off the member’s vote in this year’s General Election. The listing appeared to originate from an eBay user in Sioux City. No bids were made on the listing and it has since been retracted.
The matter has been turned over to the State Attorney General’s Office for review.
Secretary Mauro wants to make it clear that voter fraud of any kind will not be tolerated. Exchanging one’s vote for anything of value is a Class “D” felony under Iowa law, which carries a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment and up to a $7,500 fine.
About O.Kay Henderson
Kay is a founding member of the Radio Iowa network newsroom. In 1994, she became the network’s news director. She’s a featured reporter and commentator on Iowa Public Television’s “Iowa Press,” and the 2002 recipient of the Shelley Award.
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