While many say the right to vote is priceless, in Chicago, the real value of a vote itself is apparently $10.
In the run up to the Windy City’s vote this week for city leaders, resident Willie Allen says he was approached and offered $10 to vote for a particular candidate.
“I was coming down the street, going to the house. And there was a gentleman who approached me,” Allen says.
Allen knew him from the neighborhood.
“He asked me do you want to vote for this certain person? I said what you talking about? He said you could make ten dollars. Just vote for this here person.”
According to Allen, the two walked to the Frederick Douglass Chicago Library branch, where he voted.
He showed his voting receipt to the man and received $10.
“Cash,” says Allen.
He was paid to vote for Vetress Boyce, one of 10 candidates on the ballot for an open seat on the city council.
Boyce, of course, denied knowing anything about the scheme, saying, “I have no knowledge of that. That is not this type of campaign. There are a lot of people who say a lot of things.”
“My heart is with God. And if there’s anything wrong that anyone’s doing in my campaign I will address those issues and I will deal with it immediately. I know that people want change and I can’t control what the masses may do,” Boyce tells Fox 32.
Other candidates say they heard rumors about vote buying, dubbing it the “Ten for 56 Program.”
Boyce was on line 56 on the ballot.
Her competitors were quick to denounce the scheme.
“If these allegations are true, this would represent exploitation at its greatest,” candidate Michael Scott Junior says.
When asked, Allen says he doesn’t necessarily feel guilty about selling his vote.
“In a sense, no. In a sense, no, because I was going to vote for her regardless. Even if he didn’t approach me,” according to Allen.
The Cook County State’s Attorney is reportedly investigating.
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