Steve, in most GOB lots for votes situations the possibility of losing the land is great. Especially if your friend only has the option, not the title. He will need to ensure he can get title (ie pay for it and have it in his hand) before you go digging into your pocket. Also most of the "land" very low wetlands. That's not to say that your pal doesn't have good lots - but you need to walk it to be sure. And on a final note, most people will not be able to locate their lots. Remember the big hullabaloo a few months ago when the town board sold some land to somebody and when he went to resell it turned out that the land he had been shown was not actually the land he had title to. Obviously his sale fell through because he thought he owned some choice land that turned out to be marsh.
Be very aware on this, do your due diligence and pay for the actual surveyor to come out and show you exactly where the land is - once your pal finds out if he can still get it. When folks don't make their payments the land is reallocated.