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Code · U.S. Code · Title 18 - CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE · CHAPTER 29— ELECTIONS AND POLITICAL ACTIVITIES · § 597

§ 597. Expenditures to influence voting

289 words·~1 min read·/usc/title-18/section-597

A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

Whoever makes or offers to make an expenditure to any person, either to vote or withhold his vote, or to vote for or against any candidate; and
Whoever solicits, accepts, or receives any such expenditure in consideration of his vote or the withholding of his vote—
Shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both; and if the violation was willful, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than two years, or both.
(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 721; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, § 330016(1)(H), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147; Pub. L. 104–294, title VI, § 601(a)(12), Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3498.)
Historical and Revision Notes
Based on sections 250, 252, of title 2, U.S.C., 1940 ed., The Congress (Feb. 28, 1925, ch. 368, title III, §§ 311, 314, 43 Stat. 1073, 1074).
This section consolidates the provisions of sections 250 and 252 of title 2, U.S.C., 1940 ed., The Congress.
Reference to persons causing or procuring was omitted as unnecessary in view of definition of “principal” in section 2 of this title.
The punishment provisions of section 252 of title 2, U.S.C., 1940 ed., The Congress, were incorporated at end of section upon authority of reference in such section making them applicable to this section.
Words “or both” were added to conform to the almost universal formula of the punishment provisions of this title.
Changes were made in phraseology.
Connections4 cite this · traces to 1
11 references not yet in our index
  • June 25, 1948, ch. 645
  • 62 Stat. 721
  • Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, § 330016(1)(H)
  • 108 Stat. 2147
  • Pub. L. 104–294, title VI, § 601(a)(12)
  • 110 Stat. 3498
  • Feb. 28, 1925, ch. 368
  • 43 Stat. 1073
  • section 252 of title 2
  • Pub. L. 104–294
  • Pub. L. 103–322
Citation graph
cites case law
§ 597
Expenditures to influence voting
Fed. Reg.×3
U.S.C.×1
ActJune 25, 1948, ch. 645
Stat.62 Stat. 721
Pub. L.Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, § 330016(1)(H)
Stat.108 Stat. 2147
Pub. L.Pub. L. 104–294, title VI, § 601(a)(12)
Cites 12 · showing 6Cited by 4 across 2 sources
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