Thoughts on changing your name to an incumbents name, and challenging them

[basicopetsi]

Just a weird thought I had. What if somebody legally changed their name to the same as an incumbent seeking reelection, and then challenged them? This would result in two identical names on the ballot and assuming a two person race, the winner would be determined by a coinflip (unless the incumbent successfully advertised their ballot position.) In a competitive 3 person race - I'd imagine it would give it to the 3rd guy? For example, what if we got a 2nd Lindsey Graham to run in 2014? Would that give the victory to Tom Davis?

I'm sure this would be all kinds of scandalous and ineffective in a high profile race, but what about for something like state rep?


Okay I know this is ridiculous! But what do you think?

[basicopetsi]

bump :)

[basicopetsi]

one more try!

[Steve-in-NY]

Well something similar worked in an Eddie Murphy movie I believe.
Seriously though I'm rather sure the electoral board would have to find a way to distinguish between the two.

[Roxi]

http://www.truthdig.com/images/eartothegrounduploads/Bush_confused_iarm300.jpg

[jonhowe]

Maybe a "star" next to the incumbent?

[Roxi]

Just a weird thought I had. What if somebody legally changed their name to the same as an incumbent seeking reelection, and then challenged them? This would result in two identical names on the ballot and assuming a two person race, the winner would be determined by a coinflip (unless the incumbent successfully advertised their ballot position.) In a competitive 3 person race - I'd imagine it would give it to the 3rd guy? For example, what if we got a 2nd Lindsey Graham to run in 2014? Would that give the victory to Tom Davis?

I'm sure this would be all kinds of scandalous and ineffective in a high profile race, but what about for something like state rep?


Okay I know this is ridiculous! But what do you think?

Seems immoral to me. Run on merit, not tricks. JMO.

[azxd]

Seems immoral to me. Run on merit, not tricks. JMO.
Yea, I was thinking dirty and underhanded.

[vechorik]

I recently changed my name. It specifically said you couldn't change your name to commit fraud.

[basicopetsi]

It doesn't sound like fraud to me and I don't think it's immoral at all. Politics is a dirty game.

[Roxi]

It doesn't sound like fraud to me and I don't think it's immoral at all. Politics is a dirty game.

So two wrongs make a right?

[NoOneButPaul]

I gotta say it's bloody genius...but a bad idea.

You're forgetting that you have the winning arguments on your side, if you present the arguments through the grassroots in your area you'll eventually win because we're right.

[GeorgiaAvenger]

I have long thought of running someone to take votes away from the main party. Run somebody from the "Liberal Party" or the "Progressive Party" in these Congressional races.

[vechorik]

Ok, to go further "The Petition should also state that
you are not changing your name for fraudulent purposes and that changing your name
will not be detrimental to the interests of any other person."

If you changed your name for the reason of the election, THAT is detrimental to the interests of another person.
In other words, forget it -- it's not a brilliant idea. It's an illegal idea.

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:qDHGFxwm1k8J:www.washingtonlawhelp.org/documents/1488013400EN.pdf?stateabbrev%3D/wa/+&hl=en&gl=us&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESiRYrazSEqsBR1lXyLrIpuUrgtyT7u7CGdWZ344 z53hqIZjshbQKiAESoxyOWaCCiW_sV1Zs84jumgwMGZL3A1eKs 2ZQd7AKP7dYeejlLHYyB7l9VGQTbwLa6BjwXcE9w11s5AB&sig=AHIEtbTFYb8zHawaDez0d8pseoHYy60JGg&pli=1

[whippoorwill]

Try changing your name to "None ofthese".

[oyarde]

I recently changed my name. It specifically said you couldn't change your name to commit fraud. How would you do that ? Filing for someones pension or something ??

[oyarde]

But , then , that would already be against the law .... as all fraud would be ...... ??

[basicopetsi]

...

[vechorik]

How would you do that ? Filing for someones pension or something ??

Yes, to avoid debt collectors, child support, ect. In other words -- do deceive someone.

[oyarde]

Yes, to avoid debt collectors, child support, ect. In other words -- do deceive someone. Ahh , the child support thing would already be illegal , I think , but the debt collection , that makes a little bit of sense ?

[basicopetsi]

Okay what about finding someone else in SC that was born with the name Linsday Graham, and then pay them to run? They won't have to actually do anything - just sign some papers. Can't claim fraud there.