§ 609. — Use of military authority to influence vote of member of Armed Forces.
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 18USC609]
TITLE 18--CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
PART I--CRIMES
CHAPTER 29--ELECTIONS AND POLITICAL ACTIVITIES
Sec. 609. Use of military authority to influence vote of member
of Armed Forces
Whoever, being a commissioned, noncommissioned, warrant, or petty
officer of an Armed Force, uses military authority to influence the vote
of a member of the Armed Forces or to require a member of the Armed
Forces to march to a polling place, or attempts to do so, shall be fined
in accordance with this title or imprisoned not more than five years, or
both. Nothing in this section shall prohibit free discussion of
political issues or candidates for public office.
(Added Pub. L. 99-410, title II, Sec. 202(a), Aug. 28, 1986, 100 Stat.
929.)
Prior Provisions
A prior section 609, act June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 723,
prescribed maximum contributions and expenditures limitation of
$3,000,000 for any calendar year, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 92-225,
title II, Sec. 204, Feb. 7, 1972, 86 Stat. 10, effective sixty days
after Feb. 7, 1972.
Effective Date
Section applicable with respect to elections taking place after Dec.
31, 1987, see section 204 of Pub. L. 99-410, set out as a note under
section 1973ff of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare.
