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    Voter Intimidation and Voter Interference

    Voters: Know the law and know your rights. If you witness or are a victim of voter intimidation, report it to your county elections office and district attorney.

    Contact your county elections office
    Know your voting rights and the laws

    Voter Intimidation and Voter Interference Are Serious Crimes.

    Intimidating a voter can result in up to two years’ imprisonment. If you deprive or attempt to deprive someone of their right to vote, it can result in up to five years’ imprisonment.

    Please report instances of voter intimidation to the appropriate county board of elections and district attorney. Voters should also report them to the Department of State at 1-877-VOTESPA (1-877-868-3772).

    Department of State's guidance

    Against the Law

    It is illegal to threaten, intimidate, or interfere with anyone at any point in the voting process. This includes registering to vote, voting, returning a ballot, and counting ballots.

    Illegal activity includes, but is not limited to:

    Blocking or interfering with voter access, such as

    • Polling place entrances or exits.
    • Accessible accommodations for voters with disabilities.
    • Voter sign-in tables.
    • Voting booths and voting machines.
    • Secure ballot receptacles provided by the county.
    • U.S. Postal Service (USPS) mailboxes.

    Threats and intimidation include:

    • Making physical threats.
    • Threatening people or displaying a weapon to intimidate voters at or near a polling place.
    • Disrupting, following, or interrogating voters.
    • Photographing, recording, or videotaping voters to intimidate them.
    • Posting signs at polling places, secure ballot receptacles, or USPS mailboxes to intimidate voters or influence support for or against a candidate.

    False information about voting

    • It is illegal to spread false information about when, where, or how to vote if the goal is to stop people from voting.
    • Pretending to be an election official or law enforcement officer is illegal.

    Interfering with voting rights includes:

    • Preventing someone from casting their ballot in private.
    • Confronting voters or asking them for ID or other documents when the law does not require it.
    • Repeated or baseless challenges to a person's right to vote without a valid reason.

    Damage or tampering includes:

    • Vandalizing polling places, election equipment or materials, secure ballot receptacles, or USPS mailboxes.
       

    Who Is Protected by Voter Intimidation and Voter Interference Laws?

    Voters and third parties involved in the election process -- including volunteers, poll workers, voter registration workers, translation assistants, and poll watchers-- are all protected under the law.

    What should you do if you experience or observe illegal activity?

    • If you see voter intimidation or experience it yourself, report it to your county elections office and district attorney.
    • The Office of Attorney General can also investigate voter intimidation and other violations of election laws.
    • You can submit a complaint to your county online or call your county board of elections.

    Any activity that threatens, harasses, or intimidates voters outside a polling place, inside a polling place, at mail ballot drop boxes, at mailboxes, or at county elections offices is illegal. This includes any activity that interferes with any voter's right to vote. Voters should report instances of voter intimidation to their county board of elections and district attorney. Voters should also report them to the Department of State at 1-877-VOTESPA (1-877-868-3772). Get more information regarding rules for poll watchers and authorized representatives.