GOP accuses Democrats of swapping chili for votes in SD [View all]

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — The South Dakota GOP accused Democrats on Thursday of trying to buy votes by serving food at a series of get-out-the-vote rallies, but event organizers insisted their chili was legit.

The allegations came on the heels of a Wednesday chili rally in Rapid City hosted by Sen. Tim Johnson and Matt Varilek, who's challenging Republican Rep. Kristi Noem for the state's lone U.S. House seat.

A series of high-profile investigations were launched two years ago after candidates from both sides were accused of trying to swap food or food coupons for votes.

State GOP Chairman Tony Post said in a news release that the recent rallies were "eerily similar" to the events that sparked the 2010 investigations. That year, Democratic volunteers offered people at some rallies rides to polling places so they could vote early. Republicans accused Democrats of violating state and federal laws by offering people food in exchange for their votes.

http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/5cfacf5459724793bdfd97af82c0e120/SD--Chili-Rally-Row