Treating

[1][2][3] However, as long as the supplying of refreshments is not part of a quid pro quo for votes, etc., it is often not illegal.

In New Zealand, section 217 of the Electoral Act 1993 relates to treating and defines the offence as a corrupt practice.

[4] Following the 2023 New Zealand general election, the Electoral Commission investigated the provision of food at Manurewa Marae while it was used as a polling station.

[7] In 1840, the House of Lords debated putting treating on a statutory footing similar to bribery, but argued that poor electors should be entitled to receive refreshments from candidates if they took a day off work to vote.

[13] An accusation of treating was seen in the 2015 United Kingdom general election where the UK Independence Party candidate for Southampton Itchen, Kim Rose was accused of treating for giving out sausage rolls at a community event;[14] however, Hampshire Constabulary said they would take no action over the allegation.

George Bingam's "The County Election" (1852) shows the effects of the campaigns' "treating" the voters with alcoholic beverages: several of them are too drunk to stand without assistance.
An example of treating shown in William Hogarth 's Canvassing for Votes (1755) (see Humours of an Election )
George Bingam's "The County Election" (1852) shows the effects of the campaigns' "treating" the voters with alcoholic beverages: several of them are too drunk to stand without assistance.