For a brief moment on Friday, Albuquerque police officers wondered if it was illegal to drink and vote. Why? A woman had passed out while casting her ballot at an early voting site...There is a terrific pun in this story somewhere, I'm just certain of it....
Poll workers called police after the woman began yelling and screaming at them. When the officers arrived, she had lost consciousness with a bottle of vodka tucked into her waistband. A little checking determined that it was not illegal to be drunk when casting a ballot, but election laws do prohibit liquor at voting sites and creating a disturbance. Charges have not been filed.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Honestly, it's a question I'd never pondered...
But, now that you bring it up, I would like to know whether it is illegal to vote drunk:
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2 comments:
An interesting question....
Under the Arizona Constitution,
Art. 7 § 2(c):
"No person who is adjudicated an incapacitated person shall be qualified to vote at any election, nor shall any person convicted of treason or felony, be qualified to vote at any election unless restored to civil rights."
I suppose the question would hinge on whether drunk is within the constitutional meaning of incapacitated. I think it is pretty safe to assume that such language was aimed at people who had been adjudicated mentally incompetent.
Additionally, it seems that if the situation was applicable in Arizona, someone would have to take the person before a judge or magistrate rather quickly for a determination, before the person was able to cast a vote. I think that a Joe Sixpack might be safe having a quick nip before pulling the lever.
Viva Election Day!
Please have a look at Terror State with System and leave a comment... (to change the world)
thanX
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