Does anyone know of any place in the world where it is technically legal to pay people to turnout for elections? I am not referring to clientelism or "vote buying" for particular candidates. I mean specifically places where it is legal to offer some form of compensation for turning out to vote, where ballots are secret, or the exchange does not include any obligation regarding vote choice.

Hasen (2000) references that this is legal in California and Alaska local elections, but is forbidden whenever there is a federal election on the ballot, and also in other states. Usually this takes the form of gifts or vouchers in exchange for voting (http://www.redcounty.com/node/8848) but as far as I know, offering direct cash payments in exchange for turning out to vote is also allowed in these cases. Paying people not to vote or to vote for a particular candidate are both still illegal, but paying for turnout alone is allowed.

I am wondering if there are other places in the world where this is legal - whether for national or local elections. Does anyone happen to know of any other examples? Any information is appreciated.

Hasen, Richard L., Vote Buying. California Law Review, Vol. 88, p. 1323, October 2000; Loyola-LA Legal Studies. Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=257564

Many thanks,

Victoria Shineman
PhD Student
Politics Department
New York University
vas281@nyu.edu
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