§ 597. Expenditures to influence voting

Whoever makes or offers to make an expenditure to any person, either to vote or withhold his vote, or to vote for or against any candidate; and

Whoever solicits, accepts, or receives any such expenditure in consideration of his vote or the withholding of his vote—

Shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both; and if the violation was willful, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than two years, or both.

(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 721; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, § 330016(1)(H), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147; Pub. L. 104–294, title VI, § 601(a)(12), Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3498.)

Historical And Revision

Historical and Revision Notes

Based on sections 250, 252, of title 2, U.S.C., 1940 ed., The Congress (Feb. 28, 1925, ch. 368, title III, §§ 311, 314, 43 Stat. 1073, 1074).

This section consolidates the provisions of sections 250 and 252 of title 2, U.S.C., 1940 ed., The Congress.

Reference to persons causing or procuring was omitted as unnecessary in view of definition of “principal” in section 2 of this title.

The punishment provisions of section 252 of title 2, U.S.C., 1940 ed., The Congress, were incorporated at end of section upon authority of reference in such section making them applicable to this section.

Words “or both” were added to conform to the almost universal formula of the punishment provisions of this title.

Changes were made in phraseology.

Amendments

Amendments

1996—Pub. L. 104–294 substituted “shall be fined under this title” for “shall be fined not more than $10,000” in last par.

1994—Pub. L. 103–322 substituted “shall be fined under this title” for “shall be fined not more than $1,000” in last par.