ELECTION 2016: WHAT ARE ELECTION CRIMES?

Election Day is finally here! It’s important to note while lining up at the polls to cast your vote that there are numerous laws that protect voter rights in this country. In recent days, those laws have been largely in the public eye thanks to comments from both major Presidential candidates, and the crime of election fraud has started to dominate the headlines.

Election Fraud

Election fraud can be committed in several ways. Some states do not require voters to show identification in order to cast their ballots, but voting under someone else’s name is against the law. It is also against the law to vote multiple times, even if you have multiple addresses. It is also against the law to register and vote if you are not a citizen of the United States or you are a convicted felon.

This is important to know for anyone who may be thinking about doing these things because the penalties for being found guilty are severe. The crime is a federal felony and can carry up to 3½ years in prison plus a fine of $10,000. If you want to take the risk this year, just remember scrutiny has been higher in this cycle than perhaps ever before.

Voter Intimidation

It is the right of an American citizen to cast a secret ballot and not face any repercussions or be required to disclose their vote to an employer, landlord, or any other individual. However some organizations will try to intimidate their members into voting a certain way. This is why campaigning is forbidden within a certain distance of a polling place. Likewise, you are allowed to have someone assist you in filling out your ballot, but that person may not be your employer or a union representative.

Strange Laws

One of the stranger stories of the day came from earlier when Eric Trump, son of Republican candidate Donald Trump, snapped a picture of his ballot as he cast his vote for his father. Turns out that revealing your ballot is illegal in the state of New York. It’ll be interesting to see if he is charged as a result.

If you are arrested and charged with an election crime or any other crime on this Election Day, do not hesitate to contact a skilled Fort Worth criminal defense attorney. At the Law Office of A. Oliver Hassibi, I have the experience and legal acumen you need to help you fight back against your charges and maintain your rights, including your right to vote.

Call the Law Office of A. Oliver Hassibi today at (817) 826-9821 and let me defend you, starting with a free consultation.