The Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act (H.R. 1281 and S. 453) would criminalize the knowing and intentional communication of false and misleading information about the time, place, or manner of elections, and the rules governing voter eligibility and voter registration. It would also ensure that voters affected by deceptive or intimidating practices are provided with correct information from a reliable source in a timely manner.
On Monday, June 25, 2007, the U.S. House passed H.R. 1281 by a voice vote.
On Thursday, September 6, 2007, The U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary passed S. 453.
Legislative Materials:
- View H.R. 1281: Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act of 2007
- View the Manager's Amendment to H.R. 1281
- Webcast of H.R. 1281 Committee Mark-Up [Real Player] (3/29/07)
- View S. 453: Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act of 2007
Support for H.R. 1281:
- People for the American Way Applauds House Passage of H.R. 1281 (6/25/07)
- Brennan Center Letter in Support of H.R. 1281 (6/25/07)
Support for S. 543:
- Obama Bill Would Make Voter Intimidation, Election Fraud Illegal (Press Release, Sen. Obama, 9/6/07)
- Senate Committee Passes Schumer Bill To Clamp Down On Voter Deception And Stiffen Penalties For Intimidation (Press Release, Sen. Schumer, 9/6/07)
- Cardin Hails Committee Passage Of Bill To End Voter Intimidation (Press Release, Sen. Cardin, 9/6/07)
- Deceptive Practices Bill Advances In Senate Judiciary Committee (Press Release, People for the American Way, 9/6/07)
News, Editorials, and Op-Eds on Deceptive Practices Legislation:
- In Defense of Voting Rights (Editorial, New York Times, 11/5/07)
- Senate Panel Approves Voter Intimidation Measure (CQ Politics, 9/6/07)
- New Americans Step Forward (Editorial, Boston Globe, 7/30/07)
- House Bill Would Make Voter Deception a Federal Crime (San Diego Union-Tribune, 6/25/07)
- Pelosi: Today’s Legislation Will Help End Voter Suppression and Deceptive Practices (6/25/07)
- Suppressing the Vote (The Nation, 6/24/07)
- Johnson Urges Congress to Ban False Election Fliers (Examiner.com, 6/8/07)
- Cardin Promotes Campaign-Tactics Legislation (Washington Post, 6/7/07)
- Emanuel, Conyers, Holt, Becerra, Honda, Ellison: Fighting to End Vote Suppression, Introduce Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act of 2007 (3/1/07)
- Cardin Backs Bill to Protect Voters (Washington Post, 2/1/07)
- Senate Bill Targets Suppression of Voters (Los Angeles Times, 2/1/07)
- Obama-Schumer Bill Proposal Would Criminalize Voter Intimidation (New York Times, 1/31/07)
Resources on Stopping Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation: