Gifts for voting.

Existing law makes it a crime for a person or committee to attempt to influence a voter, through the use of money, gifts, loans or other valuable consideration, or through the use of force or coercion, to abstain from voting or to vote for a particular person or measure. This bill would also make it a crime for a person or committee to attempt to influence a voter, through the use of money, gifts, loans or other valuable consideration, or through the use of force or coercion, to register to vote or to vote at an election. The bill would also make it a crime for a person to receive gifts, money, loans, or other valuable consideration in return for registering to vote. Because the bill would create new crimes, it would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.