In what’s shaping up to be the most literal interpretation of “get out the vote,” voters in Wilmington, North Carolina were allegedly offered $100 in cash to cast ballots for Democratic candidates according to American Wire News [1].
Picture it: A text message that says, “Each candidate will pay you 100 dollars for your vote.” Jackpot!
When asked how payment would be made, the response was, “After you vote, one of our team members will meet you in her car near your polling place and pay you cash money. We can arrange transportation if needed.”
One of the texts about the $100 offer was a follow-up from a discussion at a “No Kings” protest. The person who received the text turned the information in to the election integrity hotline.
🚨HOLY CRAP!!!!
A left-wing group in North Carolina has just been exposed for offering to PAY $100 PER PERSON TO VOTE FOR DEMOCRATS!!!!!
“I can’t afford my electric bill. How long till I get the money after I vote?”
“Each candidate will pay you $100 for your vote…”
WHAT?!! pic.twitter.com/sL6RanGine [2]
— Matt Van Swol (@matt_vanswol) October 31, 2025 [3]
The North Carolina State Board of Elections was notified. The local GOP is calling for investigations. The local Dem Chair is saying the text went to a MAGA activist so everyone can move along.
Whether the bribes are prank, a scheme, or just someone’s bad idea of voter “outreach,” the optics are terrible. When democracy starts looking like a Craigslist gig, maybe it’s time to audit more than just the ballots.