{"id":351431,"date":"2020-03-17T09:36:43","date_gmt":"2020-03-17T14:36:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/voting\/how-do-i-protect-my-right-to-vote\/voter-intimidation-what-is-it-and-what-to-do.html"},"modified":"2026-04-14T10:24:42","modified_gmt":"2026-04-14T15:24:42","slug":"voter-intimidation-what-is-it-and-what-to-do","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/voting\/how-do-i-protect-my-right-to-vote\/voter-intimidation-what-is-it-and-what-to-do.html","title":{"rendered":"Voter Intimidation: What It Is, and What to Do"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Voter Intimidation: What It Is, and What to Do<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Voter intimidation<\/span> is illegal behavior that uses threats, coercion, or pressure to interfere with a person’s right to vote for their chosen candidate. It is a federal crime<\/span> under 18 U.S.C<\/span>. 594, and all states also have laws prohibiting this conduct. Common examples include physically blocking polling places<\/span>, using threatening language, spreading misinformation<\/span> about voting requirements, and harassing voters or election workers<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

As an American citizen, you have certain rights, including the right to vote. As long as you\u2019re an\u00a0eligible voter<\/span>, both federal and\u00a0state law<\/span>\u00a0protect your\u00a0voting rights<\/a>\u00a0and prohibit anyone from interfering with these rights. That doesn\u2019t mean that people and groups won\u2019t try to influence your vote. In some instances, this is perfectly legal. In others, it breaks the law.<\/p>\n

This article explains what voter intimidation<\/span> entails and how you can combat it. It also examines voter suppression<\/span><\/a> and how that ties in with voter intimidation<\/span>. You\u2019ll come away better equipped to spot this sort of behavior and know what to do if you witness someone interfering with anyone\u2019s right to vote.<\/p>\n

If you have further questions about your voting rights or voting intimidation, contact an experienced civil rights<\/span> attorney<\/a>. You should also seek legal advice if you have any other questions about the voting process<\/span>.<\/p>\n

What Is Voter Intimidation<\/span>?<\/h2>\n

In general, voter intimidation<\/span> refers to behavior that makes another person uncomfortable voting for the party or candidate of their choice. Voter intimidation<\/span> typically involves a person using threats, coercion, or other types of pressure to intimidate another voter or interfere with that person\u2019s right to vote<\/a> for their chosen candidate. It\u2019s a federal crime<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Voters have reported intimidation in recent elections in many jurisdictions, including Texas<\/span>, New Hampshire<\/span>, North Carolina, Arizona<\/span>, Ohio, Nevada<\/span>, and Pennsylvania<\/span>. For example, several lawsuits were filed in the lead-up to the 2016 election alleging that \u201cpoll watching<\/span>\u201d activities intimidated voters. Those complaints alleged that unauthorized poll watchers<\/span> were following people into the parking lots of polling stations to interrogate them, record their license plates<\/span>, and call 911 to report them for committing a felony by voting.<\/p>\n

Voter intimidation<\/span><\/a> can take many forms. However, some are more common than others.<\/p>\n

Some intimidation tactics include:<\/p>\n