§ 610. — Coercion of political activity.
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 18USC610]
TITLE 18--CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
PART I--CRIMES
CHAPTER 29--ELECTIONS AND POLITICAL ACTIVITIES
Sec. 610. Coercion of political activity
It shall be unlawful for any person to intimidate, threaten,
command, or coerce, or attempt to intimidate, threaten, command, or
coerce, any employee of the Federal Government as defined in section
7322(1) of title 5, United States Code, to engage in, or not to engage
in, any political activity, including, but not limited to, voting or
refusing to vote for any candidate or measure in any election, making or
refusing to make any political contribution, or working or refusing to
work on behalf of any candidate. Any person who violates this section
shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than three years,
or both.
(Added Pub. L. 103-94, Sec. 4(c)(1), Oct. 6, 1993, 107 Stat. 1005;
amended Pub. L. 104-294, title VI, Sec. 601(a)(1), Oct. 11, 1996, 110
Stat. 3497.)
Prior Provisions
A prior section 610, acts June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 723; May
24, 1949, ch. 139, Sec. 10, 63 Stat. 90; Oct. 31, 1951, ch. 655,
Sec. 20(c), 65 Stat. 718; Feb. 7, 1972, Pub. L. 92-225, title II,
Sec. 205, 86 Stat. 10; Oct. 15, 1974, Pub. L. 93-443, title I,
Sec. 101(e)(1), 88 Stat. 1267, prohibited campaign contributions or
expenditures by national banks, corporations, and labor organizations,
prior to repeal by Pub. L. 94-283, title II, Sec. 201(a), May 11, 1976,
90 Stat. 496. See section 441b of Title 2, The Congress.
Amendments
1996--Pub. L. 104-294 substituted ``fined under this title'' for
``fined not more than $5,000''.
Effective Date; Savings Provision
Section effective 120 days after Oct. 6, 1993, and no provision of
Pub. L. 103-94 to affect any proceedings with respect to which charges
were filed on or before 120 days after Oct. 6, 1993, with orders to be
issued in such proceedings and appeals taken therefrom as if Pub. L.
103-94 had not been enacted, see section 12 of Pub. L. 103-94, set out
as a note under section 7321 of Title 5, Government Organization and
Employees.
