Criminal Justice (Elections)

SB 1738 creates a new criminal offense for targeting election workers. It prohibits threats, harassment, force, deception, or sharing personal information (like home addresses or Social Security numbers) to intimidate election officials or their families. The law specifically protects election judges, staff, and volunteers who manage voting processes. Violations are punishable as a criminal offense, with increased penalties if harm or death results.

HB 3182 defines 14 new actions as class three election offenses, making them misdemeanors punishable by up to one year in jail or a $2,500 fine. It directly affects voters, election officials, and anyone involved in elections by prohibiting specific misconduct like offering money to influence voting, threatening voters, tampering with voting materials, or disclosing voter information. Key provisions include banning the use of force to compel voting, preventing voter registration when legally entitled, and restricting the sharing of election official personal information online. Violations like threatening election workers that cause injury could escalate to a class B felony. The bill aims to protect election integrity by clarifying and penalizing election-related misconduct.