Disrupting Elections Means Committing Federal and State Crimes
Federal and state laws are clear: it is illegal to intimidate voters, volunteers aiding a voter with filling in their ballot, or threaten election workers. Any attempt to interfere with part of the election process—including voter registration, vote casting, vote counting, or certification—can result in both federal and state charges. State crimes are not subject to Federal pardons.
Know the Crimes and the Penalties
Voter Intimidation
Under federal law, it is illegal to intimidate, threaten, or coerce voters. This includes physical threats, monitoring or surveilling voters at polling locations, and improper threats of prosecution or arrest. Possessing firearms at polling places, if used to intimidate, can also constitute illegal voter intimidation.
Making Threats against Election Officials
Election officials include poll workers, election supervisors, ballot counters, voter registration officials, election judges, and state and local election board members. Making online or offline threats, whether in person, by phone, or internet—constitutes a federal felony. Threats include harassment, doxxing, cyberstalking, hacking, verbal abuse, physical intimidation, and making bomb threats.
Veterans, continuing their commitment to serve our country, often serve as election officials. In 2024, more than 160,000 veterans are helping out as poll workers. When you threaten an election official, you could be threatening a veteran.
.png)
Interfering with Certification
In every state, it is a crime to interfere with the certification of election results. In Wisconsin, election interference could mean up to 40 years in prison. In Nevada, individuals convicted of election interference crimes could face up to 9 years in prison. Interfering with counting or certification, or refusing to certify, could lead to serious consequences.
State Crimes Are Not Subject to Federal Pardons
Violating state election laws—such as disrupting polling locations or threatening election workers—will result in state-level charges that cannot be pardoned by the President. Convictions could lead to imprisonment, fines, and permanent loss of civil rights like voting.
State Prison Sentences
.png)
Severe Federal Penalties for Vote Tampering
Tampering with vote counts or certifying false election results is a federal felony under laws like 52 U.S.C. § 20511. Offenders can face up to 5 years in federal prison and substantial fines.
