Nevada judge throws the book at ACORN

Defunct activist group ACORN given the maximum fines and punishments for voter fraud in the 2008 election.

And people still think they are innocent.

But this whole deal raises one key question, who can we trust for voter registration? Obviously nobody outside the local courthouses and such. And spare me the shit about denying poor people, if they are too lazy to go to a courthouse to register, they are unlikely to vote in the first place.

edited 11th Aug '11 5:22:28 AM by MajorTom

"Allah may guide their bullets, but Jesus helps those who aim down the sights."

"Allah may guide their bullets, but Jesus helps those who aim down the sights."

Quod gratis asseritur, gratis negatur.

Even taking Fox News at its (lol) word, that particular case appears to be more about offering illegal incentives for people to vote legally, rather than garnering illegal votes/voter fraud as such. The judge's extreme reaction can easily be interpreted as a kneejerk response, given the dramatic rhetoric.

That said, I have no problems with severe punishments for any tampering with the voting process. I just wish that went both ways - the right loves its talking points about what kind of people 'deserve' to vote more than a little too much. Case in point: Tom, are you even capable of discussing the poor without calling them lazy in the process?

edited 11th Aug '11 7:26:06 AM by Karkadinn

Furthermore, I think Guantanamo must be destroyed.

Because the people working three jobs to make ends meet are clearly too lazy to spend what could be several hours at a county courthouse trying to register to vote.

From the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

So basically, it was a case where they paid workers a commission for signing people up to register, and that's what was illegal. I'm just glad no one who registered was prosecuted (that WOULD be an outrage), but there does need to be more movements to spread awareness about voting and the options to do so, as unless you're personally wealthy, that's the only way to be heard in politics.

EDIT: Also, $5000 is nothing for a corporation, and essentially just a gesture of indignation in this case as the defense is bankrupt anyway.

edited 11th Aug '11 8:30:04 AM by Ratix

Sorry. Doesn't qualify as "throwing the book" in any capacity.

I don't know about other states, but California has a legal provision that work has to allow you time off to vote.

I wonder how many low wage workers would be prepared to sue if the employer didn't follow that. Especially if they conveniently get laid off a couple weeks later with no provable connection.

edited 11th Aug '11 11:35:23 AM by storyyeller

Blind Final Fantasy 6 Let's Play

I wonder if there are those who daren't ask.

Quod gratis asseritur, gratis negatur.

Surely, even if their bosses are that crappy, they can just vote absentee?

If throwing the book at someone for voter fraud means in a five grand fine, I wonder what's a slap on the wrist by Nevada voter fraud standards.

And I'm noticing a disturbing trend: Corporations are allowed by law to do all sorts of shit that would land the public in jail. They're allowed to donate much larger quantities than individuals to campaign funds... If a corp runs a comp-for-registration scheme, they get fined five grand... If an individual person does it, he gets ten years in the slammer (quoted straight from the judge)...

It's very scary, actually.

edited 11th Aug '11 4:04:42 PM by SavageHeathen

You exist because we allow it and you will end because we demand it.

I find it both amusing and disturbing that I unreservedly and wholeheartedly agree with Savage Heathen, bilaterally, on a political matter. That's a sad, sad statement on American politics with regards to this issue...

edited 11th Aug '11 4:00:47 PM by USAF713

I am now known as Flyboy.

Its amazing how well fox news unites conservatives and liberals in their terror at what the far right thinks.

It's hard to disagree on that particular issue. But I'd say the agreement is bilateral.

At any rate, I think we should consider a general "If the general public can't do it, corporations and other institutions can't do it either" policy.

edited 11th Aug '11 4:01:09 PM by SavageHeathen

You exist because we allow it and you will end because we demand it.

Really? That word is kind of confusing sometimes. Either way, we agree, which is scary and awesome at the same time.

I am now known as Flyboy.

Yeah. But anyway, I think pretty much everyone whose surname is not INC would agree with that.

edited 11th Aug '11 4:04:18 PM by SavageHeathen

You exist because we allow it and you will end because we demand it.

Jennifer Government?

I am now known as Flyboy.

I fail to see why ACORN is soo horrible.

I will always cherish the chance of a new beggining.

I'm not saying that ACORN is horrible: I was commenting on the (quite disturbing) quote from the judge: "It is making a mockery of our election process. If I had an individual in this courtroom...who was responsible for this kind of thing, I would put that person in prison for 10 years, hard time, and not think twice about it,"

edited 11th Aug '11 4:12:03 PM by SavageHeathen

You exist because we allow it and you will end because we demand it.

Ok as a law student I will go ahead and say that is weirdest thing I have read in a long time for reasons that go beyond politics...

edited 11th Aug '11 4:13:45 PM by Baff

I will always cherish the chance of a new beggining.

Let's take a look at all the facts here:

• ACORN pleaded guilty to one count of "felony compensation for registration of voters."
• Nevada Statute Law 293.805: "Compensation for registration of voters based upon number of voters or voters of a particular party registered."

1. It is unlawful for a person to provide compensation for registering voters that is based upon: (a)The total number of voters a person registers; or (b) The total number of voters a person registers in a particular political party. 2 A person who violates any provision of this section is guilty of a category E felony and shall be punished as provided in NRS 193.130.

• Nevada Statute no. 193.130: Categories and punishment of felonies.

1. Except when a person is convicted of a category A felony, and except as otherwise provided by specific statute, a person convicted of a felony shall be sentenced to a minimum term and a maximum term of imprisonment which must be within the limits prescribed by the applicable statute, unless the statute in force at the time of commission of the felony prescribed a different penalty. The minimum term of imprisonment that may be imposed must not exceed 40 percent of the maximum term imposed.

{Note: ACORN is not a person and cannot be imprisoned.}

... (e) A category E felony is a felony for which a court shall sentence a convicted person to imprisonment in the state prison for a minimum term of not less than 1 year and a maximum term of not more than 4 years. In addition to any other penalty, the court may impose a fine of not more than $5,000, unless a greater penalty is authorized or required by statute.

• "At the sentencing, Clark County District Judge Donald Mosley said if a person had been before him instead of a corporation, he would have slapped the individual with a 10-year prison term. "And I wouldn’t have thought twice about it," Mosley said."

He did, in fact, throw the book at ACORN, as hard as the law allowed him to. The fact that ACORN isn't a person means that the more severe part of the penalty (imprisonment) cannot be imposed.

...if you don’t love you’re dead, and if you do, they’ll kill you for it.