,i #aae? ,,congress #b;d ,session ,h4 ,r4 #ffjg ,,9 ,,! ,,h\se ,,( ,,repres5tatives ,july #bf1 #bjah,mr4 ,mc,eachin 7= himself1 ,mr4 ,nadl]1 ,mr4 ,b5 ,ray ,lujn ( ,new ,mexico1 ,mr4 ,s]rano1 ,ms4 ,wilson ( ,florida1 ,ms4 ,cl>ke ( ,new ,york1 ,mr4 ,clyburn1 ,mr4 ,lewis ( ,georgia1 & ,mrs4 ,watson ,coleman7 introduc$ ! foll[+ bill2 :i* 0 ref]r$ to ! ,committee on ! ,judici>y ,a ,,bill ,to prohibit deceptive practices 9 ,f$]al elections4 #a4 ,%ort title ,?is ,act may be cit$ z ! ,deceptive ,practices & ,vot] ,intimidation ,prev5tion ,act ( #bjah4 #b4 ,f9d+s ,congress makes ! foll[+ f9d+s3 7#a7 ,! "r to vote by ca/+ a ballot = "o's pref]r$ c&idate is a fundam5tal "r accord$ to ,unit$ ,/ates citiz5s by ! ,con/itution1 & ! unimp$$ ex]cise ( ?is "r is ess5tial to ! function+ ( our democracy4 7#b7 ,hi/orically1 c]ta9 citiz5s1 especially racial1 e?nic1 & language m9orities1 7 prev5t$ f vot+ because ( significant b>ri]s su* z lit]acy te/s1 poll taxes1 & prop]ty own]%ip requirem5ts4 7#c7 ,"s ( ^! b>ri]s 7 remov$ by ! #ae?1 #ai?1 & #bd? ,am5dm5ts to ! ,con/itution4 7#d7 ,despite ! elim9ation ( "s ( ^! b>ri]s to ! polls1 ! integrity ( today's elections is ?reat5$ by new] tactics aim$ at suppress+ vot] turn\t4 ,^! tactics include deceptive practices1 :i* involve ! dissem9ation ( false or mislead+ in=mation int5d$ to prev5t vot]s f ca/+ _! ballots1 prev5t vot]s f vot+ = ! c&idate ( _! *oice1 intimidate ! electorate1 & und]m9e ! integrity ( ! electoral process4 7#e7 ,fur!rmore1 s9ce ! decision 9 ,%elby ,c\nty v4 ,hold] 9 :i* ! ,supreme ,c\rt /ruck d[n ! cov]age =mula us$ by ! ,vot+ ,rights ,act ( #aife to det]m9e :i* ,/ates ) a hi/ory ( racial discrim9ation mu/ affirmatively receive gov]nm5t p]mission be=e *ang+ local vot+ laws1 !re h be5 ,f$]al c\rt decisions f9d+ or affirm+ t ,/ates or localities int5tionally discrim9at$ aga9/ ,african ,am]icans & o!r vot]s ( color4 7#f7 ,d5ials ( ! "r to vote1 & deceptive practices design$ to prev5t memb]s ( racial1 e?nic1 & language m9orities f ex]cis+ t "r1 are an outgr[? ( discrim9atory hi/ory1 includ+ slav]y4 ,measures to combat d5ials ( t "r are a legitimate ex]cise ( congressional p[] "u article ,i1 section #d & article ,,ii1 section #a (1 & ! #ad? & #ae? ,am5dm5ts to1 ! ,unit$ ,/ates ,con/itution4 7#g7 ,= ! la/ few decades1 !re h be5 a numb] ( in/ances ( deceptive or intimidat+ practices aim$ t[>ds suppress+ m9ority access to ! vot+ boo? t demon/rates ! ne$ = /r5g!n$ protections4 7#h7 ,9 addition1 9 at lea/ "o in/ance 9 #aiij1 ?\s&s ( vot]s report$ly receiv$ po/c>ds provid+ false in=mation ab\t vot] eligibility & w>n+s ab\t crim9al p5alties = vot] fraud4 ,mo/ ( ! vot]s :o receiv$ ! po/c>ds 7 ,african ,am]ican4 7#i7 ,dur+ ! #bjjd elections1 ,native ,am]ican vot]s 9 ,s\? ,dakota report$ be+ requir$ to provide photographic id5tification 9 ord] to vote1 despite ! fact t nei!r ,/ate nor ,f$]al law requir$ su* id5tification4 7#aj7 ,9 ! #bjjf midt]m elections1 ?\s&s ( ,lat9o vot]s receiv$ mail+s w>n+ !m 9 ,spani% t vot+ 9 a ,f$]al election z an immigrant c\ld result 9 inc>c]ation--despite ! fact t any immigrant :o is a naturaliz$ citiz5 ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates has ! same "r to vote z any o!r citiz54 7#aa7 ,9 #bjjh1 fli]s 7 di/ribut$ 9 pr$om9antly ,african ,am]ican neighborhoods falsely w>n+ t p ) out/&+ w>rants or unpaid p>k+ tickets c\ld be arre/$ if !y %[$ up at ! polls on ,election ,day4 ,9 ! same ye>1 !re 7 reports ( p receiv+ text messages on ,election ,day ask+ !m to wait until ! foll[+ day to vote4 7#ab7 ,9 #bjab1 !re 7 reports ( vot]s receiv+ calls falsely in=m+ !m t !y c\ld vote via telephone4 7#ac7 ,9 ! #bjaf elections1 !re 7 reports ( /ud5ts receiv+ fli]s /at+ t 9 ord] to vote 9 a local prec9ct1 !y _h to pay to *ange _! driv]'s lic5se & re-regi/] vehicles 9 ! city 9 :i* ! prec9ct 0 locat$4 7#ad7 ,^? responsible = ^! & simil> ef=ts %\ld be held acc\ntable1 & civil & crim9al p5alties %\ld be available to puni% anyone :o seeks to keep vot]s away f ! polls by provid+ false in=mation4 7#ae7 ,moreov]1 ! ,f$]al ,gov]nm5t %\ld help correct su* false in=mation 9 ord] to assi/ vot]s 9 ex]cis+ _! "r to vote )\t confusion & to pres]ve ! integrity ( ! electoral process4 7#af7 ,! ,f$]al ,gov]nm5t has a compell+ int]e/ 9 protect+ vot]s f confusion & undue influ5ce & 9 pres]v+ ! integrity ( its election process4 ,burson v4 ,freeman1 #ejd ,u4,s4 #aia1 #aii 7#aiib74 7#ag7 ,! ,fir/ ,am5dm5t does n preclude ! regulation ( "s int5tionally false spee*1 ev5 if x is political 9 nature4 ,z ! ,supreme ,c\rt ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates has recogniz$1 that spee* is us$ z a tool = political ends does n automatically br+ x "u ! protective mantle ( ! ,con/itution4 ,= ! use ( ! kn[n lie z a tool is at once at odds ) ! premises ( democratic gov]nm5t & ) ! ord]ly mann] 9 :i* economic1 social1 or political *ange is to be effect$ ''' 4 ,h5ce ! kn[+ly false /atem5t & ! false /atem5t made ) reckless disreg>d ( ! tru?1 d n enjoy con/itutional protection44 ,g>rison v4 ,l\isiana1 #cgi ,u4,s4 #fd1 #ge 7#aifd74 #c4 ,prohibition on deceptive practices 9 ,f$]al elections 7a7 ,prohibition ,subsection 7b7 ( section #bjjd ( ! ,revis$ ,/atutes 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #ajaja7;b77 is am5d$-- 7#a7 by /rik+ ,no p]son & ins]t+ ! foll[+3 7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,no p]son 2 & 7#b7 by ins]t+ at ! end ! foll[+ new p>agraphs3 7#b7 ,false /atem5ts reg>d+ ,f$]al elections 7,a7 ,prohibition ,no p]son1 :e!r act+ "u color ( law or o!rwise1 %all1 )9 #fj days be=e an election describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#e71 by any means1 includ+ by means ( writt51 electronic1 or telephonic communications1 communicate or cause to be communicat$ in=mation describ$ 9 subp>agraph 7,b71 or produce in=mation describ$ 9 subp>agraph 7,b7 ) ! int5t t su* in=mation be communicat$1 if su* p]son-- 7i7 kn[s su* in=mation to be mat]ially false2 & 7ii7 has ! int5t to imp$e or prev5t ano!r p]son f ex]cis+ ! "r to vote 9 an election describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#e74 7,b7 ,in=mation describ$ ,in=mation is describ$ 9 ?is subp>agraph if su* in=mation is reg>d+-- 7i7 ! "t1 place1 or mann] ( hold+ any election describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#e72 or 7ii7 ! qualifications = or re/rictions on vot] eligibility = any su* election1 includ+-- 7,i7 any crim9al p5alties associat$ ) vot+ 9 any su* election2 or 7,,ii7 in=mation reg>d+ a vot]'s regi/ration /atus or eligibility4 7#c7 ,false /atem5ts reg>d+ public endorsem5ts 7,a7 ,prohibition ,no p]son1 :e!r act+ "u color ( law or o!rwise1 %all1 )9 #fj days be=e an election describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#e71 by any means1 includ+ by means ( writt51 electronic1 or telephonic communications1 communicate1 or cause to be communicat$1 a mat]ially false /atem5t ab\t an endorsem5t1 if su* p]son-- 7i7 kn[s su* /atem5t to be false2 & 7ii7 has ! int5t to imp$e or prev5t ano!r p]son f ex]cis+ ! "r to vote 9 an election describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#e74 7,b7 ,def9ition ( mat]ially false ,= purposes ( subp>agraph 7,a71 a /atem5t ab\t an endorsem5t is mat]ially false if1 ) respect to an upcom+ election describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#e7-- 7i7 ! /atem5t /ates t a specifically nam$ p]son1 political p>ty1 or organization has endors$ ! election ( a specific c&idate = a ,f$]al (fice describ$ 9 su* p>agraph2 & 7ii7 su* p]son1 political p>ty1 or organization has n endors$ ! election ( su* c&idate4 7#d7 ,h9d]+1 int]f]+ )1 or prev5t+ vot+ or regi/]+ to vote ,no p]son1 :e!r act+ "u color ( law or o!rwise1 %all int5tionally h9d]1 int]f]e )1 or prev5t ano!r p]son f vot+1 regi/]+ to vote1 or aid+ ano!r p]son to vote or regi/] to vote 9 an election describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#e74 7#e7 ,election describ$ ,an election describ$ 9 ?is p>agraph is any g5]al1 prim>y1 run-(f1 or special election held solely or 9 "p = ! purpose ( nom9at+ or elect+ a c&idate = ! (fice ( ,presid5t1 ,vice ,presid5t1 presid5tial elector1 ,memb] ( ! ,s5ate1 ,memb] ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives1 or ,delegate or ,commission] f a ,t]ritory or possession4 4 7b7 ,private "r ( action 7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,subsection 7c7 ( section #bjjd ( ! ,revis$ ,/atutes 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #ajaja7;c77 is am5d$-- 7,a7 by /rik+ ,:5ev] any p]son & ins]t+ ! foll[+3 7#a7 ,:5ev] any p]son 2 & 7,b7 by add+ at ! end ! foll[+ new p>agraph3 7#b7 ,any p]son aggriev$ by a violation ( subsection 7b77#b71 7b77#c71 or 7b77#d7 may in/itute a civil action = prev5tive relief1 includ+ an application 9 a ,unit$ ,/ates di/rict c\rt = a p]man5t or tempor>y injunction1 re/ra9+ ord]1 or o!r ord]4 ,9 any su* action1 ! c\rt1 9 its discretion1 may all[ ! prevail+ p>ty a reasonable attorney's fee z "p ( ! co/s4 4 7#b7 ,con=m+ am5dm5ts 7,a7 ,subsection 7e7 ( section #bjjd ( ! ,revis$ ,/atutes 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #ajaja7;e77 is am5d$ by /rik+ subsection 7c7 & ins]t+ subsection 7c77#a74 7,b7 ,subsection 7g7 ( section #bjjd ( ! ,revis$ ,/atutes 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #ajaja7;g77 is am5d$ by /rik+ subsection 7c7 & ins]t+ subsection 7c77#a74 7c7 ,crim9al p5alties 7#a7 ,deceptive acts ,section #eid ( title #ah1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 is am5d$-- 7,a7 by /rik+ ,:oev] & ins]t+ ! foll[+3 7a7 ,intimidation ,:oev] 2 7,b7 9 subsection 7a71 z ins]t$ by subp>agraph 7,a71 by /rik+ at any election & ins]t+ at any g5]al1 prim>y1 run-(f1 or special election2 & 7,c7 by add+ at ! end ! foll[+ new subsections3 7b7 ,deceptive acts 7#a7 ,false /atem5ts reg>d+ ,f$]al elections 7,a7 ,prohibition ,x %all be unlawful = any p]son1 :e!r act+ "u color ( law or o!rwise1 )9 #fj days be=e an election describ$ 9 subsection 7e71 by any means1 includ+ by means ( writt51 electronic1 or telephonic communications1 to communicate or cause to be communicat$ in=mation describ$ 9 subp>agraph 7,b71 or produce in=mation describ$ 9 subp>agraph 7,b7 ) ! int5t t su* in=mation be communicat$1 if su* p]son-- 7i7 kn[s su* in=mation to be mat]ially false2 & 7ii7 has ! int5t to mislead vot]s1 or ! int5t to imp$e or prev5t ano!r p]son f ex]cis+ ! "r to vote 9 an election describ$ 9 subsection 7e74 7,b7 ,in=mation describ$ ,in=mation is describ$ 9 ?is subp>agraph if su* in=mation is reg>d+-- 7i7 ! "t or place ( hold+ any election describ$ 9 subsection 7e72 or 7ii7 ! qualifications = or re/rictions on vot] eligibility = any su* election1 includ+-- 7,i7 any crim9al p5alties associat$ ) vot+ 9 any su* election2 or 7,,ii7 in=mation reg>d+ a vot]'s regi/ration /atus or eligibility4 7#b7 ,p5alty ,any p]son :o violates p>agraph 7#a7 %all be f9$ n m ?an #ajj1jjj1 imprison$ = n m ?an #e ye>s1 or bo?4 7c7 ,h9d]+1 int]f]+ )1 or prev5t+ vot+ or regi/]+ ,to vote 7#a7 ,prohibition ,x %all be unlawful = any p]son1 :e!r act+ "u color ( law or o!rwise1 to corruptly h9d]1 int]f]e )1 or prev5t ano!r p]son f vot+1 regi/]+ to vote1 or aid+ ano!r p]son to vote or regi/] to vote 9 an election describ$ 9 subsection 7e74 7#b7 ,p5alty ,any p]son :o violates p>agraph 7#a7 %all be f9$ n m ?an #ajj1jjj1 imprison$ = n m ?an #e ye>s1 or bo?4 7d7 ,attempt ,any p]son :o attempts to commit any (f5se describ$ 9 subsection 7a71 7b77#a71 or 7c77#a7 %all be subject to ! same p5alties z ^? prescrib$ = ! (f5se t ! p]son attempt$ to commit4 7e7 ,election describ$ ,an election describ$ 9 ?is subsection is any g5]al1 prim>y1 run-(f1 or special election held solely or 9 "p = ! purpose ( nom9at+ or elect+ a c&idate = ! (fice ( ,presid5t1 ,vice ,presid5t1 presid5tial elector1 ,memb] ( ! ,s5ate1 ,memb] ( ! ,h\se ( ,repres5tatives1 or ,delegate or ,commission] f a ,t]ritory or possession4 4 7#b7 ,modification ( p5alty = vot] intimidation ,section #eid7;a7 ( title #ah1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 z am5d$ by p>agraph 7#a71 is am5d$ by /rik+ f9$ "u ?is title or imprison$ n m ?an "o ye> & ins]t+ f9$ n m ?an #ajj1jjj1 imprison$ = n m ?an #e ye>s4 7#c7 ,s5t5c+ guidel9es 7,a7 ,review & am5dm5t ,n lat] ?an #ahj days aft] ! date ( enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 ! ,unit$ ,/ates ,s5t5c+ ,commission1 pursuant to its au?ority "u section #iid ( title #bh1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 & 9 accordance ) ?is section1 %all review &1 if appropriate1 am5d ! ,f$]al s5t5c+ guidel9es & policy /atem5ts applicable to p]sons convict$ ( any (f5se "u section #eid ( title #ah1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 z am5d$ by ?is section4 7,b7 ,au?orization ,! ,unit$ ,/ates ,s5t5c+ ,commission may am5d ! ,f$]al ,s5t5c+ ,guidel9es 9 accordance ) ! proc$ures set =? 9 section #ba7;a7 ( ! ,s5t5c+ ,act ( #aihg 7#bh ,u4,s4,c4 #iid note7 z ?\gh ! au?ority "u t section _h n expir$4 7#d7 ,paym5ts = refra9+ f vot+ ,subsection 7c7 ( section #aa ( ! ,vot+ ,rights ,act ( #aife 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #ajcjg7 is am5d$ by /rik+ ei!r = regi/ration to vote or = vot+ & ins]t+ = regi/ration to vote1 = vot+1 or = n vot+4 #d4 ,corrective action 7a7 ,corrective action 7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,if ! ,attorney ,g5]al receives a cr$ible report t mat]ially false in=mation has be5 or is be+ communicat$ 9 violation ( p>agraphs 7#b7 & 7#c7 ( section #bjjd7;b7 ( ! ,revis$ ,/atutes 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #ajaja7;b771 z add$ by section #c7;a71 & if ! ,attorney ,g5]al det]m9es t ,/ate & local election (ficials h n tak5 adequate /eps to promptly communicate accurate in=mation to correct ! mat]ially false in=mation1 ! ,attorney ,g5]al %all1 pursuant to ! writt5 proc$ures & /&>ds "u subsection 7b71 communicate to ! public1 by any means1 includ+ by means ( writt51 electronic1 or telephonic communications1 accurate in=mation design$ to correct ! mat]ially false in=mation4 7#b7 ,communication ( corrective in=mation ,any in=mation communicat$ by ! ,attorney ,g5]al "u p>agraph 7#a7-- 7,a7 %all-- 7i7 be accurate & objective2 7ii7 consi/ ( only ! in=mation necess>y to correct ! mat]ially false in=mation t has be5 or is be+ communicat$2 & 7iii7 to ! ext5t practicable1 be by a means t ! ,attorney ,g5]al det]m9es w rea* ! p]sons to :om ! mat]ially false in=mation has be5 or is be+ communicat$2 & 7,b7 %all n be design$ to favor or disfavor any p>ticul> c&idate1 organization1 or political p>ty4 7b7 ,writt5 proc$ures & /&>ds = tak+ corrective action 7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,n lat] ?an #ahj days aft] ! date ( enactm5t ( ?is ,act1 ! ,attorney ,g5]al %all publi% writt5 proc$ures & /&>ds = det]m9+ :5 & h[ corrective action w be tak5 "u ?is section4 7#b7 ,inclusion ( appropriate deadl9es ,! proc$ures & /&>ds "u p>agraph 7#a7 %all include appropriate deadl9es1 bas$ 9 "p on ! numb] ( days rema9+ be=e ! upcom+ election4 7#c7 ,consultation ,9 develop+ ! proc$ures & /&>ds "u p>agraph 7#a71 ! ,attorney ,g5]al %all consult ) ! ,election ,assi/ance ,commission1 ,/ate & local election (ficials1 civil rights organizations1 vot+ rights gr\ps1 vot] protection gr\ps1 & o!r int]e/$ community organizations4 7c7 ,au?orization ( appropriations ,!re are au?oriz$ to be appropriat$ to ! ,attorney ,g5]al su* sums z may be necess>y to c>ry out ?is ,act4 #e4 ,reports to ,congress 7a7 ,9 g5]al ,n lat] ?an #ahj days aft] ea* g5]al election = ,f$]al (fice1 ! ,attorney ,g5]al %all submit to ,congress a report compil+ all allegations receiv$ by ! ,attorney ,g5]al ( deceptive practices describ$ 9 p>agraphs 7#b71 7#c71 & 7#d7 ( section #bjjd7;b7 ( ! ,revis$ ,/atutes 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #ajaja7;b771 z add$ by section #c7;a71 relat+ to ! g5]al election = ,f$]al (fice & any prim>y1 run-(f1 or a special election = ,f$]al (fice held 9 ! #b ye>s prec$+ ! g5]al election4 7b7 ,cont5ts 7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,ea* report submitt$ "u subsection 7a7 %all include-- 7,a7 a description ( ea* allegation ( a deceptive practice describ$ 9 subsection 7a71 includ+ ! geographic location1 racial & e?nic composition1 & language m9ority-gr\p memb]%ip ( ! p]sons t[>d :om ! alleg$ deceptive practice 0 direct$2 7,b7 ! /atus ( ! inve/igation ( ea* allegation describ$ 9 subp>agraph 7,a72 7,c7 a description ( ea* corrective action tak5 by ! ,attorney ,g5]al "u section #d7;a7 9 response to an allegation describ$ 9 subp>agraph 7,a72 7,d7 a description ( ea* ref]ral ( an allegation describ$ 9 subp>agraph 7,a7 to o!r ,f$]al1 ,/ate1 or local ag5cies2 7,e7 to ! ext5t in=mation is available1 a description ( any civil action in/itut$ "u section #bjjd7;c77#b7 ( ! ,revis$ ,/atutes 7#eb ,u4,s4,c4 #ajaja7;c77#b771 z add$ by section #c7;b71 9 connection ) an allegation describ$ 9 subp>agraph 7,a72 & 7,f7 a description ( any crim9al prosecution in/itut$ "u section #eid ( title #ah1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 z am5d$ by section #c7;c71 9 connection ) ! receipt ( an allegation describ$ 9 subp>agraph 7,a7 by ! ,attorney ,g5]al4 7#b7 ,exclusion ( c]ta9 in=mation 7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,! ,attorney ,g5]al %all n include 9 a report submitt$ "u subsection 7a7 any in=mation protect$ f disclosure by rule #f7;e7 ( ! ,f$]al ,rules ( ,crim9al ,proc$ure or any ,f$]al crim9al /atute4 7,b7 ,exclusion ( c]ta9 o!r in=mation ,! ,attorney ,g5]al may det]m9e t ! foll[+ in=mation %all n be includ$ 9 a report submitt$ "u subsection 7a73 7i7 ,any in=mation t is privileg$4 7ii7 ,any in=mation conc]n+ an ongo+ inve/igation4 7iii7 ,any in=mation conc]n+ a crim9al or civil proce$+ conduct$ "u seal4 7iv7 ,any o!r nonpublic in=mation t ! ,attorney ,g5]al det]m9es ! disclosure ( :i* c\ld reasonably be expect$ to infr+e on ! rights ( any individual or adv]sely affect ! integrity ( a p5d+ or future crim9al inve/igation4 7c7 ,report made public ,on ! date t ! ,attorney ,g5]al submits ! report "u subsection 7a71 ! ,attorney ,g5]al %all also make ! report publicly available ?r\gh ! ,int]net & o!r appropriate means4 #f4 ,sev]ability ,if any provision ( ?is ,act or any am5dm5t made by ?is ,act1 or ! application ( a provision or am5dm5t to any p]son or circum/ance1 is held to be uncon/itutional1 ! rema9d] ( ?is ,act & ! am5dm5ts made by ?is ,act1 & ! application ( ! provisions & am5dm5ts to any p]son or circum/ance1 %all n be affect$ by ! hold+4