# Close mayoral race wasn’t bought with cinnamon rolls, court rules **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [January 20, 2023, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/close-mayoral-race-wasn-t-bought-with-cinnamon-rolls-court-rules/978493 "2023-01-20T04:54:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Tatterdemalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/43a26b/32.png) [@Tatterdemalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tatterdemalion)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2023, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/close-mayoral-race-wasn-t-bought-with-cinnamon-rolls-court-rules/978493/1 "2023-01-20T04:54:08Z")
> **[Close mayoral race wasn’t bought with cinnamon rolls, court rules](https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2023/01/19/cinnamon-rolls-canada-votes-election/?utm_source=feedly&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=wp_homepage)** > > A small Canadian town had been embroiled in a bitter political row. So a court had to decide: Did a candidate's cinnamon rolls amount to vote buying? In Canada even the election fraud is nicer. Quote: > At least not according to those who gave testimony before Justice Branch. > > My “vote can’t be bought with a cup of coffee and a cinnamon bun,” Saffran, the witness, told the court. I think maybe mine could. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2023, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/close-mayoral-race-wasn-t-bought-with-cinnamon-rolls-court-rules/978493/2 "2023-01-20T06:28:43Z")
Why not? It’s a lot more substantial than anything that most political parties have to offer. ---
**Author:** ![Wolf333](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolf333/32/3460_2.png) [@Wolf333](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolf333)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2023, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/close-mayoral-race-wasn-t-bought-with-cinnamon-rolls-court-rules/978493/3 "2023-01-20T12:41:44Z")
What if they served it with chili? ---
**Author:** ![scudsucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scudsucker/32/14101_2.png) [@scudsucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scudsucker)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2023, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/close-mayoral-race-wasn-t-bought-with-cinnamon-rolls-court-rules/978493/4 "2023-01-20T12:46:50Z")
Not sure about cinnamon and chilli, but a local baker makes a great roll with cinamon and cardamom. As an amateur baker and chili lover, I will take up the challenge, though. ---
**Author:** ![Wolf333](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolf333/32/3460_2.png) [@Wolf333](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolf333)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2023, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/close-mayoral-race-wasn-t-bought-with-cinnamon-rolls-court-rules/978493/5 "2023-01-20T12:49:16Z")
It’s a reference to this thread: > [@Cinnamon rolls with chili- is this a nationwide thing?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cinnamon-rolls-with-chili-is-this-a-nationwide-thing/976273): > > I’ve experienced this combination in several places across the nation. Is this a thing, and if so, what’s the origin? ---
**Author:** ![scudsucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scudsucker/32/14101_2.png) [@scudsucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scudsucker)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2023, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/close-mayoral-race-wasn-t-bought-with-cinnamon-rolls-court-rules/978493/6 "2023-01-20T12:50:03Z")
Thanks. I was not aware. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2023, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/close-mayoral-race-wasn-t-bought-with-cinnamon-rolls-court-rules/978493/7 "2023-01-20T12:52:48Z")
It’s less silly than it sounds, and the court pointed out that these were ‘very limited refreshments.’ Back in the days of political machines, it was common practice to hold huge events with cookouts (loudly sponsored by the right people) to make sure the right voters turned up on election day. > [@Wolf333](#): > > What if they served it with chili? It might actually have been a bridge too far. In the political sense, at least. I’ve never had the dish myself but I’d try it. ---
**Author:** ![Tatterdemalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/43a26b/32.png) [@Tatterdemalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tatterdemalion)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2023, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/close-mayoral-race-wasn-t-bought-with-cinnamon-rolls-court-rules/978493/8 "2023-01-20T15:21:24Z")
I saw the thread on cinnamon rolls and chili. The combination doesn’t appeal to me. I don’t think that would get my vote. My local city councilman set up a booth at the local farmer’s market as a way to meet voters, but he wasn’t giving anything away. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2023, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/close-mayoral-race-wasn-t-bought-with-cinnamon-rolls-court-rules/978493/9 "2023-01-20T16:50:28Z")
Great. Now I have to stop at Cinnabon on the way home. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2023, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/close-mayoral-race-wasn-t-bought-with-cinnamon-rolls-court-rules/978493/10 "2023-01-20T16:56:35Z")
That would not work here in the South, where Republicans are determined to purge voter rolls. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2023, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/close-mayoral-race-wasn-t-bought-with-cinnamon-rolls-court-rules/978493/11 "2023-01-20T17:14:24Z")
> [@Johnny\_Bravo](#): > > Back in the days of political machines, it was common practice to hold huge events with cookouts (loudly sponsored by the right people) Go back far enough, and they included free booze. > **[Elections in Colonial America Were Huge, Booze-Fueled Parties | HISTORY](https://www.history.com/news/colonial-america-election-day-parties)** > > From rum to cakes to rowdy parades, election day in colonial America was a time for gathering and celebration. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2023, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/close-mayoral-race-wasn-t-bought-with-cinnamon-rolls-court-rules/978493/12 "2023-01-20T18:50:58Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Republicans are determined to purge voter rolls. This helps them in that effort. Just stick your finger down their throat after they finish, that roll with get purged. It’s better than completely disenfranchising people. ---
**Author:** ![DeadTreasSecretaries](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/deadtreassecretaries/32/4817_2.png) [@DeadTreasSecretaries](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeadTreasSecretaries)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2023, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/close-mayoral-race-wasn-t-bought-with-cinnamon-rolls-court-rules/978493/13 "2023-01-20T20:10:33Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > Go back far enough, and they included free booze. > > [Elections in Colonial America Were Huge, Booze-Fueled Parties | HISTORY](https://www.history.com/news/colonial-america-election-day-parties) Oh my god! That’s disgusting! Where? ---
**Author:** ![anny\_m](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/96bed5/32.png) [@anny\_m](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anny_m)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2023, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/close-mayoral-race-wasn-t-bought-with-cinnamon-rolls-court-rules/978493/14 "2023-01-21T04:39:40Z")
> [@Tatterdemalion](#): > > My local city councilman set up a booth at the local farmer’s market as a way to meet voters, but he wasn’t giving anything away. I know you mean he wasn’t giving anything of real value. I’d be surprised if he wasn’t handing out leaflets that summarized his background and views. It’s not uncommon for candidates to hand out small useful items, like bag clips or ballpoint pens with their name. I’ve been known to accept these items even from candidates I know would not get my vote. ---
**Author:** ![Tatterdemalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/43a26b/32.png) [@Tatterdemalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tatterdemalion)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2023, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/close-mayoral-race-wasn-t-bought-with-cinnamon-rolls-court-rules/978493/15 "2023-01-21T06:09:47Z")
Well, he wasn’t giving away cinnamon rolls that’s for sure.