Federal · Title 18 — Crimes and Criminal Procedure

18 U.S.C. § 598: Coercion by means of relief appropriations

Misdemeanor

What this law says, in plain English

Federal law prohibits using relief appropriations or related authority to interfere with, restrain, or coerce someone's right to vote. Violators face fines and/or up to one year imprisonment.

Read the full statutory text
Whoever uses any part of any appropriation made by Congress for work relief, relief, or for increasing employment by providing loans and grants for public-works projects, or exercises or administers any authority conferred by any Appropriation Act for the purpose of interfering with, restraining, or coercing any individual in the exercise of his right to vote at any election, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.

Verify at the official source: Federal legislative text

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This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.