[EM] Idea for a free web service for (relatively) secure onlinevoting

[Terry Bouricius]

On the other hand, using similar logic, no campaign would risk engaging in 
vote buying. The cost benefit analysis precludes any vote buying scheme, 
since it must involve reaching out to voters who are not already known to 
be solid supporters of the candidate.
Gain = a miniscule increase in the chance of winning election for each 
non-supportive individual approached and successfully bribed.
Cost = years in jail if just one of these people exposes the candidate's 
illegal activity.

Terry Bouricius

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Raph Frank" <raphfrk at gmail.com>
To: "Mike Frank" <michael.patrick.frank at gmail.com>
Cc: <election-methods at electorama.com>
Sent: Wednesday, October 08, 2008 6:54 PM
Subject: Re: [EM] Idea for a free web service for (relatively) secure 
onlinevoting


On Wed, Oct 8, 2008 at 4:29 AM, Mike Frank
<michael.patrick.frank at gmail.com> wrote:
> And anyway, politicians effectively "buy
> votes" all the time already, whenever they promise certain classes of 
> voters
> goodies such as tax rebates and the like

Just a note, that is actually different from vote buying in a fundamental 
way.

The problem is that it in your interests to sell your vote even if you
know that the person is going cost you more than he pays if he is
elected.

The is because you are certain to be paid, but the probability of your
vote actually making a difference is tiny.

Gain = payment
Loss = p*(cost of electing the person)

It would be worth accepting $10 to vote for a candidate who is
planning to increase you taxes by $100.
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