Is it legal to pay a potential political candidate to do something that would disqualfy them from running for office?
<p>Before an election is it legal to pay someone to move out of a jurisdiction so that they will not be allowed to legally run for a specific office?</p>

<p><strong>No</strong> - at least not in South Carolina, depending on your intent.</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>SECTION 7-25-200. Unlawful inducement to file for or withdraw from candidacy for election.</p>
  
  <p>(A) It is unlawful to offer or accept, or attempt to offer or accept,
  either directly or indirectly, money, a loan of money, or any other
  thing of value which includes, but is not limited to, employment or
  the promise of employment to induce a person to file or withdraw as a
  candidate for any state or federal elected office.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>The FEC, apparently does <strong>not</strong> see this a problem federally.</p>

<blockquote>
  <ol start="3">
  <li>Conduct that Does Not Constitute Federal Election
  Fraud
  Various types of conduct that may adversely affect the election
  of a federal candidate may not constitute a federal election crime,
  despite what in many instances might be their reprehensible character.
  For example, a federal election crime does not normally involve
  irregularities relating to: (1)distributing inaccurate campaign literature,
  (2) campaigning too close to the polls, (3) <strong>engaging in activities to
  influence an opponent’s withdrawal from an election,</strong></li>
  </ol>
</blockquote>

contract-law political