Obama Campaign Changes Convention Trip Offer

WE'VE MOVED! Democratic Convention Watch is now at http://www.DemocraticConventionWatch.com

Sounds like the previous plan of entering people into the drawing for a free trip for $5 or more broke some lottery rules in at least Minnesota.

Barack Obama's presidential campaign modified a solicitation for donations on its national website Tuesday evening to comply with Minnesota lottery laws after it was informed by a state law enforcement investigator that it was violating state law.

The website had previously offered supporters who donated at least $5 to the campaign a chance to win a free trip for two to the Democratic National Convention in Denver.

Doug Forsman, a special agent with the state Department of Public Safety, said he told the campaign such a solicitation was illegal in Minnesota because it constituted a lottery. Only the Minnesota State Lottery is permitted to conduct lotteries in the state. - Strib

The previous link we used is still asking for $5 which leads me to believe only Minnesota addresses will see the other page that doesn't require a donation.

Make a donation of $5 or more between now and midnight on July 31st, and you could be one of 10 supporters chosen to meet Barack backstage and watch his acceptance speech in person.

The front page of the Obama site still mentions the $5 donation... at least it does in Colorado. Let us know what you're seeing in your state.

Thanks to a commenter who pointed out the following from the bottom of the donation page:

Open Convention: If you do not wish to make a donation but would like to participate in this program, you can still be selected to join Barack at the Democratic National Convention in Denver by clicking here.

That page says:

If you do not wish to make a donation but would like to participate in this program, you can still be selected to join Barack at the Democratic National Convention in Denver.

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