Voter intimidation or suppression prohibited; criminal penalties

104.0615

Voter intimidation or suppression prohibited; criminal penalties.

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(1)

This section may be cited as the “Voter Protection Act.”

(2)

A person may not directly or indirectly use or threaten to use force, violence, or intimidation or any tactic of coercion or intimidation to induce or compel an individual to:

(a)

Vote or refrain from voting;

(b)

Vote or refrain from voting for any particular individual or ballot measure;

(c)

Refrain from registering to vote; or

(d)

Refrain from acting as a legally authorized election official or poll watcher.

(3)

A person may not knowingly use false information to:

(a)

Challenge an individual’s right to vote;

(b)

Induce or attempt to induce an individual to refrain from voting or registering to vote; or

(c)

Induce or attempt to induce an individual to refrain from acting as a legally authorized election official or poll watcher.

(4)

A person may not knowingly destroy, mutilate, or deface a voter registration form or election ballot or obstruct or delay the delivery of a voter registration form or election ballot.

(5)

A person who violates subsection (2), subsection (3), or subsection (4) commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

History.

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s. 76, ch. 2005-277.