to encourage people to come to the polls, not the individual parties or candidates (you are right, that would be highly illegal).

Every voter gets the prize, not just those who vote for X.

Any reward given to a person for voting in a particular way or for not voting can be called vote buying. Vote buying is a corrupt election practice. A vote buying bribe is that having a monetary value. The practice of vote buying is banned in United States. Vote buying is a threat to the conduct of fair elections. In the U.S. vote buying is an offence when a person knowingly or willfully gives false information or conspires with another individual for the purpose of encouraging his false registration to vote or illegal voting, or pays or offers to pay or accepts payment either for registration to vote or for voting shall be fined not more than $ 10,000 or imprisoned not more than five years, or both. This provision shall only by applicable to general, special, or primary elections (42 USCS § 1973i(c)).

There are state specific laws that ban vote buying.

The following is an example of a state statute (Kentucky) on vote buying:

KRS § 117.030 (2) provides that the State Board of Elections shall provide for the conspicuous placement of signs at all precinct polling places, which shall state that vote buying and selling are illegal and shall state the penalties for such acts.


http://definitions.uslegal.com/v/vote-buying/

Don't think it matters if it is one or all voters, making it illegal protects the system.

Vote buying is illegal. Vote buying is defined as pay for not voting or as pay for voting in a particular way. I propose pay for voting, not for voting in a particular way. But I should have made clear that I suggest a law be passed to give all voters a reward. The funding of the reward could be provided from private donations.

"Here's twenny bux. Vote for me, da clown."

Would increase how many vote. And if more vote then the will of the people will be better reflected in who is elected. Isn't that a good thing?

All voters would get a prize no matter who they voted for. It's note vote for me, it is vote for whoever you want.

What you propose is illegal.

But thanks for playing the game. The home version will be mailed to you within 10 days.

Obviously repubs would vote no but in CA and other places it could pass

to motivate citizens to vote.

Why not focus on removing barriers to voting while encouraging parties to nominate candidates who motivate turnout?

voting in all states. Offer longer hours and enough poll places provided with the cash that would be spent on prizes . Make voter registration easier

But when voting rates go up, Democrats win, so don't hold your breath.

Proof that you voted gets you a quicker tax refund? Or maybe businesses could use the I Voted sticker to give out a free something.

when your candidate wins it.

Wouldn't that just result in more ignorant, ill-informed people voting?

Look, I'm a snob. I am not really interested in kissing anyone who does not have at least one advanced degree, for instance. But I don't think I should have more of a say in the laws we have than even the lowliest Republican scum. I believe democracy, despite its obvious flaws, is better than the alternatives.