Quote:
Originally Posted by dc_dux
There is very good chance that we will see legislation to address the issue of deceptive practices like those described above.
A bill, Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act,sponsored by Rahm Emanual (now Obama's WH chief of staff) passed in the House last year. Amends the federal criminal code to make it unlawful for anyone before or during a federal election to knowingly communicate, or attempt to communicate, false election-related information about that election, with the intent to prevent another person from exercising the right to vote.
Increases from one year to five years' imprisonment the criminal penalty for intimidation of voters.
Authorizes any person to report to the Attorney General false election information or intimidation of voters.
Requires the Attorney General, immediately after receiving such a report, to consider and review it and, if there is a reasonable basis to find that a violation has occurred, to: (1) undertake all effective measures necessary to provide correct information to voters affected by the false information; and (2) refer the matter to the appropriate federal and state authorities for criminal prosecution or civil action after the election. The Senate companion bill was sponsored by Obama.
I dont think either of them will be letting the issue go. |
It would be hard to prosecute this because it says "intent". What they need is 2 penalties. The first is for distributing false information (minor offense) and the second is for knowingly distributing false information.
Proving intent is almost always impossible.