Federal · Title 18 — Crimes and Criminal Procedure

18 U.S.C. § 609: Use of military authority to influence vote of member of Armed Forces

Felony

What this law says, in plain English

A military officer who uses military authority to influence voting by Armed Forces members or compel them to go to polling places may be fined or imprisoned up to five years. Free political discussion is permitted.

Read the full statutory text

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.

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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.