State law protects voters against intimidation at the polls. Interference, coercion, or intimidation. In some states, noisy electioneering must stop 100s of feet away from the polls. 19.2-11.01.Crime victim and witness rights. 18VAC135-50-220. Coercing a person, either orally, in writing, or by other means, to deny or limit the benefits provided that person in connection with the sale or rental of a dwelling or in connection with a residential real estate-related transaction because of race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, elderliness, national origin, source of funds, sexual orientation, gender identity, or status as a veteran. Requires state board of education to develop a model policy to assist county boards. Mobile: (804) 512-2552 Virginia and federal law protect the fundamental right to vote freely. 2005 West Virginia Code - §61-2-9a. It shall be unlawful to coerce, intimidate, threaten, or interfere with any person in the exercise or enjoyment of, or on account of that person having exercised or enjoyed, or on account of that person having aided or encouraged any other person in the exercise or enjoyment of, any right granted or protected by the Virginia Fair Housing Law and these regulations. 1. Blue Virginia has published more than 2,000 articles covering Virginia politics in the last year, reaching 2.2 million visitors and generating 7.1 million pageviews. C. Conduct made unlawful under this section includes the following: 1. Proud Boys at Virginia 2nd Amendment Rally (2020 Jan) by Anthony Crider | Flickr CC BY 2.0. Virginia has been the scene of multiple large-scale protests over the new anti-gun laws that the Democrats have passed in the Commonwealth earlier in the year. Stalking; harassment; penalties; definitions. (2) Give any false or misleading information or testimony relating to the commission of any crime to any law enforcement officer, prosecuting official or judge. Here’s what you need to know about Virginia’s laws. 2. Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. So what are the penalties for voter intimidation in DC, Maryland and Virginia? West Virginia anti-bullying laws require districts, to the extent state or federal funds are appropriated for this purpose, to provide training on the harassment, intimidation or bullying policy to school employees and volunteers who have direct contact with students. Professional And Occupational Licensing » Agency 135. Finally, Virginia law authorizes who may serve as an appointed poll watcher and who may challenge a voter’s eligibility on Election Day. Laws in Virginia as well as the rest of the United States make discrimination and harassment in the workplace illegal. The wiretapping law covers oral communications when the speakers have an expectation that such communication is not subject to interception under circumstances justifying such expectations. December 1, 1991; amended, Volume 19, Issue 24, eff. And in Virginia, early voters in Fairfax County last month were met with a group of chanting Trump supporters that left some voters seeking escorts. B. A. Regulated Conduct » Article 1. A. . No Virginian should ever feel intimidated or afraid while exercising their duty as an American and casting their vote,” said Attorney General Herring. Please consider donating to support our coverage of Virginia politics . Creating a Report: Check the sections you'd like to appear in the report, then use the "Create Report" button at the bottom of the page to generate your report. [Page 3], Virginia law makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor to “falsely assume[] or exercise[] the functions, powers, duties, and privileges incident to the office of sheriff, police officer, marshal, or other peace officer, or any local, city, county, state, or federal law-enforcement officer.” This criminal prohibition can apply to “a group of private militia members coming as a unit, heavily armed with assault-style weapons, dressed in fatigues and other military accessories, and acting in a coordinated fashion” where the “militia members patrol[] a line of citizens” and “project[] authority to manage the crowd.” [Page 3], Attorney General of Virginia: back to home page. Richmond, Virginia 23219. If you see voter intimidation at a polling place, Herring’s office wants you to call them at 800-552-9745 or visit the Virginia Department of Elections’ website. A raft of ominous headlines have Virginia election observers on high alert for voter intimidation. To ensure the information incorporated by reference is accurate, the reader is encouraged to use the source document described in the regulation. They have helped vindicate racial equality in voting, ensure the constitutional guarantee of equal protection of the laws, and invoke the basic respect that is due every voter at the polls.”, In our democratic system of governance, the right to vote is “a fundamental political right.” Voting both ensures “a representative form of government” and also “preserv[es] . Table of Contents » Title 18. var addy89905f8a24c095455fe72a99b316ed9d = 'cgomer' + '@'; A. In Maryland — Stalking; harassment; penalties; definitions. Accordingly, it is my opinion that the conduct you describe could violate state and/or federal law if it threatens or intimidates voters casting their ballots at polling places.”. So what are the penalties for voter intimidation in DC, Maryland and Virginia? 103 Requires county school boards to develop and adopt a policy prohibiting harassment, intimidation or bullying on school property or at school-sponsored events. Virginia law does prescribe how robbery is to be punished, stating that someone who commits robbery shall be guilty of a felony and shall be punished by confinement in a state correctional facility for life or any term of not less than five years. Virginia voters will no longer be able to carry firearms into polling locations under legislation advancing in the General Assembly. “My hope is that the behavior we saw last week will not happen again, and I remain committed to ensuring that every Virginian is able to safely and comfortably cast their ballot without fearing for their safety or wellbeing.”, Attorney General Herring concludes his opinion saying, “[t]he legitimacy of our government—and its success in fulfilling the promises of our Constitution—rely on the notion of uncoerced choice. That’s according to a recent report from the research group MilitiaWatch. We are unable to answer legal questions or respond to requests for legal advice, including application of law to specific fact. 3023, Chap. Voter intimidation is against the law in Wisconsin. B. Police Officer Using Intimidation at Questioning. If such person does not promptly desist, the officers of election, or a … Republicans and gun rights activists argue the bill is unnecessary given the commonwealth’s existing laws prohibiting voter intimidation.And they’ve questioned how gun owners with concealed carry permits could scare other people if their weapon was out of sight. . Intimidation means to make another person fearful of bodily harm using threatening words and/or other conduct. Threatening an employee or agent with dismissal or an adverse employment action, or taking such adverse employment action, for any effort to assist a person seeking access to the sale or rental of a dwelling or seeking access to any residential real estate-related transaction because of the race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, elderliness, national origin, source of funds, sexual orientation, gender identity, or status as a veteran of that person or of any person associated with that person. Issuing a threat of harm is a Class 6 felony under Virginia criminal laws, which carries with it a penalty of 1-5 years in prison. [Page 2], Virginia law also prohibits carrying or possessing firearms or weapons at specific locations that may be used as polling places, such as schools and courthouses. Virginia governor signs gun-control bills into law Virginia Gov. Fair Housing Regulations » Part II. Anyone planning on scaring voters at the polls had better be ready to go to jail, said Attorney General Josh Kaul. RICHMOND — Today, Virginia House Bill 2081, which would ban firearms at polling places, passed the Virginia House of Delegates and now advances to the state Senate. 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