{"id":352181,"date":"2023-12-10T02:41:35","date_gmt":"2023-12-10T07:41:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/voter-intimidation.html"},"modified":"2023-12-10T02:41:35","modified_gmt":"2023-12-10T07:41:35","slug":"voter-intimidation","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/voter-intimidation.html","title":{"rendered":"Voter Intimidation: Guide to Voter Rights and Poll Watchers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Voter Intimidation: Guide to Voter Rights and Poll Watchers<\/h1>\n
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\n By Samuel Strom, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Rhonda Earhart, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\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

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Voter intimidation involves using threats, coercion, or misinformation to influence or suppress someone’s vote. Federal statutes criminalize these acts, with penalties including fines and imprisonment. Despite legal protections, voter intimidation still occurs through threats, misinformation, and harassment, often targeting vulnerable communities.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

The federal government fiercely protects voting rights. The U.S. Constitution<\/a> references voting five times, including four separate amendments that removed barriers to voting.<\/p>\n

Various state and federal laws prohibit voter intimidation<\/a>. Voter intimidation occurs when someone intimidates, threatens, or coerces someone to either not vote or to influence them to vote a certain way.<\/p>\n

This article oulines federal laws prohibiting voter intimidation. If you are facing a criminal charge for voter intimidation, you can also reach out to a criminal law attorney<\/a> near you for help. An attorney can evaluate evidence against you and determine whether your actions meet the legal definition of intimidation. This can be crucial for your defense strategy. <\/p>\n

Brief History of Voting Rights<\/h2>\n

When the states ratified the Constitution, it was unclear who had the right to vote. The Framers<\/a> included the right to vote but did not specify who possessed the right. Into the 1800s, the decision about who could vote was primarily left to state law. During that time, generally, only white landowners could vote<\/a> in elections.<\/p>\n

Various groups have challenged the right to vote throughout history:<\/p>\n