An election is a tangible event organized by a democratic government to discover what its people want and expect from that government. Governments get their mandates from the people by the message their votes send. The commercialization of people’s votes threatens the right of all people to make their voices heard.

Jacoby considers various arguments both for and against this practice. Finally, he writes that “vote buying feels to most of us like a desecration of something sacred” and concludes that the “norm” of our voting process is one that should be protected.

I see vote buying as a violation of Americans’ rights because it intentionally nullifies and taints the democratic purpose of elections. It deserves to remain illegal.

Paul Burgholzer

Medford

The “one person, one vote” principle justifies the criminalization of selling or buying a citizen’s vote in federal elections. This principle is necessary to ensure the equality of citizens in the practice of democracy. A very direct way for an oligarch like Elon Musk to convert his wealth into illegitimate political power is to buy the votes of other citizens, allowing him to pervert this essential balancing principle. The practice corruptly undermines fundamental democratic principles. Criminalizing it is a reasonable antidote.

John M. Thompson

Springfield

The purpose of voting is to determine the will of each individual. Paying someone for a vote introduces another motive and defeats the purpose of the election.

Jim Mesthene

Waltham