The Associated Press

ELYRIA - It took authorities just 12 hours to hear about and stop a man's eBay offer to sell his vote.

James Pengov, 36, of Elyria, said he was hoping to land enough money from selling his vote to pay medical bills.

"Up for auction is MY VOTE!," said Pengov's Aug. 19 posting on the online marketplace.

The item, advertised as "Presidential Vote for Sale," with a starting bid of $50, was yanked 12 hours after it was posted.

"Simply tell me who to vote for, after paying the auction, and it will be so," his listing said. "If you care, buy my vote and you will have twice the power in the upcoming election!!!!"

Pengov said he didn't know that selling a vote was illegal.

The fraud unit of the California secretary of state's office, which has been alerted to votes for sale on eBay in previous elections, came across the posting and notified Ohio authorities.

Pengov told buyers he generally votes Republican, but expressed dissatisfaction with both parties.

Hani Durzy, eBay spokesman, said the online auction service screens the 29 million listings for violations of its policies, but because 3.5 million are added daily, it relies on outside help to catch inappropriate listings.