H. B. 2157
(By Delegate Lane)
[Introduced January 20, 2015; referred to the
Committee on the Judiciary.]
A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated §3-9-14, relating to absentee ballot fraud, intimidation of voters; and providing felony criminal penalties.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be amended by adding thereto a new section, designated §3-9-14, to read as follows:
ARTICLE 9. OFFENSES AND PENALTIES.
§3-9-14. Absentee ballot fraud; intimidation of voters; penalties.
Any person who, with the intent to commit fraud, obtains, removes, completes or disseminates an absentee ballot or intimidates an absentee voter, is guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not less than $10,000 nor more than $20,000 or imprisoned in a state correctional facility not less than one nor more than five years, or both fined and imprisoned.
For the purposes of this section, each ballot obtained is a separate offense.
NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to provide that absentee ballot fraud or intimidation of voters is a felony.
§3-9-14 is new; therefore, it has been completely underscored.