Holt Introduces "Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act"

by: Juan Melli

Thu Mar 01, 2007 at 01:41:18 PM EST

Recent elections have been marred by allegations of deceptive practices that frequently focus on minority or low income neighborhoods. According to several non-partisan organizations, voter suppression through deceptive practices and intimidation are on the rise.  In 2006, registered voters in Virginia received phone messages falsely warning them that the "Virginia Elections Commission" had determined that they were ineligible to vote, and over 14,000 Latino voters in California received letters asserting that it was illegal for immigrants to vote. [...]

"It is a travesty that American citizens are still routinely prevented from exercising their constitutional right and civic duty of voting through despicable tactics of suppression.  Passage of this important legislation will make it clear that disenfranchising voters through intimidation or through willful deception about the time, place, or eligibility for voting is unacceptable and illegal," said Holt.

The Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act will statutorily define "deceptive practices" as "knowing communication of false information." Further, the bill will:

  o Elevate deceptive practices in elections a felony and increase the penalty to up to $250,000 or five years imprisonment
  o Require the Department of Justice to provide voters with accurate election information when allegations of deceptive practices are confirmed
  o Direct the Attorney General to initiate action on complaints
  o Require the Attorney General to develop ways to disseminate corrective election information
  o Require the Attorney General to report to Congress on the allegations of deceptive practices after each federal election
  o Require the Attorney General, with the Federal Communications Commission and the Election Assistance Commission, to study using public broadcast systems to provide corrective election information.