As of Friday, October 5, 2012
© Copyright 2013
Albany Herald
ALBANY, Ga. — Johnnie P. Hammond had planned to conduct a voter registration drive and food and clothing giveaway Saturday morning at Shackleford Park — until she was informed that combining a giveaway with voter registration is against the law.
“We’ve been doing it for years and I had no idea it was against the law,” Hammond said Thursday. “We’ll still have the giveaway, we just won’t be registering any voters.”
Hammond said she was contacted Thursday by Dougherty Elections supervisor Ginger Nickerson and told offering incentives at a voter registration drive is illegal.
Dougherty Board of Elections Chairman Alan Pendleton said the event would have violated state elections law, specifically Georgia code 21-2-570 which reads:
“Any person who gives or receives, offers to give or receive, or participates in the giving or receiving of money or gifts for the purpose of registering as a voter, voting, or voting for a particular candidate in any primary or election shall be guilty of a felony.”
More like this story
- Voter drive to feature food, clothing giveaway ( October 2, 2012 )
- Voter registration drive slated for Friday ( October 1, 2011 )
- Officials urge people to register to vote ( September 25, 2012 )
- Voter registration deadline looms ( May 29, 2012 )
- Voter registration window slowly closing ( September 22, 2010 )
Comments
fatdaddygamer 7 months, 3 weeks ago
SURE " i didn't now it was against the law. yea right. AND SHE WILL STILL SAY YOU CAN HAVE THIS IF YOU VOTE FOR OBAMA. THIS DEMOCRATIC RUN CITY FINALLY DID SOMETHING RIGHT.
bigbob 7 months, 3 weeks ago
How can this be illegal, half of Obumma supporters vote because of the free bees they will receive if he's elected. That's the only reason most people in Albany vote at all is for the promise of more free bees.
ObjectiveEyes 7 months, 3 weeks ago
bigbob: Surely you've figured out by now that rules and laws do not apply to Obamma or the Dems?
ittybittyme 7 months, 3 weeks ago
I don't believe she did not know that this activity is illegal.
Outtahere 7 months, 3 weeks ago
Intresting.........
KaosinAlbany 7 months, 3 weeks ago
I thought it was illegal. Ha! Read the state's rules before making plans like this. It's on the SOS's website for goodness sake. You have to be very careful or else you will pay a hefty fine.
mr_nobody 7 months, 3 weeks ago
Someone else got told "no" in regards to local politics. Wait for the lawsuit. Wonder who will lead the charge this time?
But, props to them for still having the giveaway. Hopefully some with legitimate needs will benefit.
Cartman 7 months, 3 weeks ago
Oops. "...we've been doing it for years." Better just quit talking lady.
tywebb 7 months, 3 weeks ago
haha. i was thinking the same thing
Amazed2 7 months, 3 weeks ago
Since she has admitted to the crime for previousl elections who will prosecute?? Feds or State or nobody! Does that mean we have people in office that were illegally elected by vote buying?? If so who?
tywebb 7 months, 3 weeks ago
i thought that too. sanford maybe?
Amazed2 7 months, 3 weeks ago
Well Jesse Jackson was recently on a radio brocast encouraging ministers to become voter registars and sifn them up at church? I would think this has to be illegal? Or at least revoke tax exempt status for church?
Sister_Ruby 7 months, 3 weeks ago
I heard that and reported it here to you, my Faithful Followers. What Jackson specifically said was "Pastors, contact your local Democrat precinct headquarters and get them to sign you up as an official Registrar" and then go back to your churches and register everybody to vote. Vote Democrat, of course!
Amazed2 7 months, 3 weeks ago
I bet this thing goes down anyway with a wink and a grin. Just walk next door and register.
waltspecht 7 months, 3 weeks ago
I wonder if the Funeral Limosines will still be transporting voters to the poles, and supplying them a cold beer on the way back?
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