{"id":395306,"date":"2026-04-14T10:19:46","date_gmt":"2026-04-14T15:19:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ability-fl-prod.internetbrands.com\/ability-law\/?page_id=395306"},"modified":"2026-04-14T11:08:49","modified_gmt":"2026-04-14T16:08:49","slug":"election-interference-laws-in-the-u-s","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/voting\/how-do-i-protect-my-right-to-vote\/election-interference-laws-in-the-u-s.html","title":{"rendered":"Election Interference Laws in the U.S."},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Election Interference Laws in the U.S.<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Catherine Hodder, 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\n\n

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Election interference<\/span> is any effort to change the outcome of an election through unlawful means. Examples of election interference<\/span> include voter suppression<\/span>, intimidation, fraud, and campaign finance violations. There are federal and state laws prohibiting election interference<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

Under the U.S. Constitution, states make their own election laws<\/span>. State legislatures determine issues such as\u00a0early voting<\/span>,\u00a0mail-in ballots<\/span>, and ballot tabulation.<\/p>\n

The federal government<\/span> also controls some aspects of national voting. Article I, Section 4<\/a>, of the Constitution specifies that states shall prescribe their own time, place, and manner of choosing senators and representatives. The U.S. Supreme Court<\/span> ruled that this extends to other state elections as well.<\/p>\n

The Constitution does not set an official Election Day<\/span>. Congress has the power to select an official election date, which was set by law in 1845. Every administration has added new laws relating to voting rights<\/span> and election interference<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Election Interference<\/span> Explained<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Election interference<\/span> is any effort to change the outcome of an election, through lawful or unlawful means. Campaigning and electioneering are forms of election interference<\/span>, though few people object to them. Unlawful election interference<\/span> is any effort to violate voters\u2019 civil rights<\/span> through voter suppression<\/span>, voter intimidation<\/span>, fraud, or other means.<\/p>\n

Other forms of electoral interference include campaign finance violations, media misconduct, and vote-buying. This article will review some recent changes to U.S. election interference<\/span> laws and what they mean for the average voter.<\/p>\n

Federal <\/span>Election<\/span> Laws<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

Federal <\/span>election<\/span> laws<\/span> provide controls for national presidential elections and serve as the basis for state election laws<\/span>.<\/p>\n

The U.S. Code contains all federal <\/span>election<\/span> laws<\/span>. Existing election interference<\/span> laws include:<\/p>\n