Payroll and politics don't mix. An Ohio franchisee who put a note in his employee paychecks is in hot water, according to AP wire reports.

If the right people are elected we will be able to continue with raises and benefits at or above our present levels. If others are elected we will not.

That note urged employees to vote for 3 candidates running as Republicans.

In response, one of the employees hired a personal injury attorney, Allen Schulman, a Canton city councilman who is also a Democrat. Schulman said that McDonald's was threatening the employees and that the note was "clearly designed to intimidate, threaten and coerce a captive group of employees to vote for specific candidates at the risk of their jobs, their raises, and their benefits."

Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner (a Democrat running for the US Senate) said that the action appeared to violate Ohio law; "Voter intimidation is a form of voter fraud. It is a serious offense requiring a strong response."

MCD's spokesperson said the franchisor respected diversity and that the note was poor judgment on the part of the franchisee. However, it should be noted that in the 1980's the McDonald's corporate headquarters did urge voters to reelect Mayor McCheese.

Cleveland residents took the matter in stride, with one commenter noting that the SEIU union had urged Cleveland Library workers to vote Democrat.

AP report here.