General Question

gorillapaws's avatar

How severe of an offense against another person is it to destroy their ballot?

Asked by gorillapaws (30789points) March 5th, 2020

If you were to erase or alter someone’s ballot, how severe of a crime is that offense relative to other crimes in your opinion? Is it worse than stealing a small amount of money from them? a large amount of money? committing a mild assault against them? severe assault? malicious wounding? sexual assault?

Part of me thinks the vote is so precious that disenfranchising/silencing someone is among the most egregious offenses you could commit against another person. The other part remembers that about half the country doesn’t even bother to vote, so it’s not worth much at all to them. I’m curious about your thoughts.

As a follow-up, how much would someone have to pay you hypothetically to not vote in the 2020 election (this is not a solicitation just to be clear)?

Observing members: 0 Composing members: 0

8 Answers

zenvelo's avatar

I put it as more serious than beating someone up, less than sexual assault.

it is an attack on someone’s autonomy and their inalienable rights.

Sagacious's avatar

You have destroyed government property.

Then there is the theft.

KNOWITALL's avatar

Here’s the document that you can find the legal consequences.
https://www.justice.gov/criminal/file/1029066/download

To me the freedom to vote is precious.
You couldn’t offer me any amount for my vote that I’d consider.

stanleybmanly's avatar

I regard tampering with an election as a crime worthy of stiff penalties, but the destruction of a single ballot—I believe should be gauged as an assault against the civil rights of a specific voter. There should be both a criminal trial as well as a civil trial.

JLeslie's avatar

For me, it’s way up there. It’s like an assault in my opinion, jail time. I wish it could be federal prison, but I guess voting is a local level thing.

People have been put in jail for putting up obstacles that prevented people from voting. It’s serious.

Response moderated (Spam)
Response moderated

Answer this question

Login

or

Join

to answer.

This question is in the General Section. Responses must be helpful and on-topic.

Your answer will be saved while you login or join.

Have a question? Ask Fluther!

What do you know more about?
or
Knowledge Networking @ Fluther