Union-sponsored rally questioned

Adrienne Packer

Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2000 | 11:14 a.m.

A union-sponsored rally offering supporters of Clark County Commission candidate Stephanie Smith a chance to win $3,000 has her opponent questioning whether the event violates federal election laws.

A flier published in English and Spanish invites Culinary union workers to attend rallies for Smith on Saturday and Wednesday. Participants who visit a "pre-vote check-in area" are eligible for a $3,000 raffle.

A disclaimer in smaller print says voting is not necessary to enter the raffle.

Incumbent Commissioner Mary Kincaid said she was shocked by the event and will continue to look into whether the union has violated election laws.

"I think this is indefensible," she said. "I don't see how putting a little disclaimer there helps. They are buying votes."

Kincaid's camp produced a federal law that says the statute "prohibits 'vote buying' in the broadest terms possible by forbidding any 'payment' or 'offer of payment' that is made to a would-be voter 'for voting' or to induce unregistered individuals to get into the electoral roles.

"A 'payment' encompasses anything of material value including lottery chances."

Clark County Registrar of Voters Larry Lomax said today that federal laws apply to the upcoming election because federal officials will appear on the ballot.

But District Attorney Stewart Bell questioned whether federal election laws apply and added that either way the disclaimer likely saved the union from any legal wrong-doing.

The union is simply holding a rally; to become eligible to win the prize money members aren't required to fill out their early voting ballots and place them in a box. That is the difference, Bell said.