Chap. 194.——-An ACT to amend the Code of Virginia by adding thereto a new
chapter numbered 17-B, consisting of eight new sections numbered 268-a to
268-h, both inclusive, providing what shall constitute offenses against the elec-
tion laws, and prescribing penalties for violations of such laws; and to repeal
Chapter 186 of the Code of Virginia relating to the same subject. [H B 74]

Approved March 15, 1946

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia be amended by adding thereto a new
chapter numbered seventeen-B, consisting of eight new sections num-
bered two hundred sixty-eight-a to two hundred sixty eight-h, both in-
clusive, as follows:

Chapter 17-B
Offenses Against the Election Laws

Section 268-a. Judge, clerk, etc., failing to attend election, how
punished.—If any judge, clerk or commissioner of election fail to attend
at the time and place appointed for such election, or to perform any of
the duties imposed on him by law, without good and sufficient reason, he
shall be fined not less than ten nor more than one hundred dollars.

Section 268-b. Officer, etc., neglecting his duty in regard to elec-
tion, or doing it corruptly, how punished.—lIf any officer, messenger, or
other person on whom any duty is enjoined by law relative to general,
primary or special elections, be guilty of any wilful neglect of such duty,
or of any corrupt conduct in the execution of the same, he shall be fined
not exceeding five hundred dollars, and confined in jail not exceeding
one year; and if any officer be convicted as aforesaid, he shall be removed
from office.

Section 268-c. Person voting unlawfully, or advising another to do
so, or attempting by threats or bribe to influence vote of elector, or fur-
nishing false ballot, or fraudulently putting ballot in box, or, etc., how
punished.—If any person knowingly vote in any election district in which
he does not actually reside, or, in which he is not a registered voter ; or
vote more than once at the same election; or not being a qualified elec-
tor, vote at any election with an unlawful ‘intent ; or procure, aid, assist,
counsel, or advise another to vote, knowing that such person is not duly
qualified to vote at the place where, and the time when, the vote is to be
given; or, by threat or bribery, attempt to influence any elector in giving
his vote or ballot, or, by such means, attempt to deter him from giving
his vote or ballot; or procure, aid, assist, counsel, or advise another to go
or come into any county, corporation, or election district for the purpose
of illegally giving his vote in such county, corporation, or election dis-
trict, knowing that such person is not legally qualified to vote therein ; or
furnish a ballot to an elector, who cannot read the language in which
said ballot is printed or written, informing him that it contains a name
or names different from those which are written or printed thereon, with
an intent to deceive and induce him to vote contrary to his inclination ; or
fraudulently or deceitfully change a ballot of an elector, by which such
elector is prevented from voting for such candidate or candidates as he
intended ; or, after proclamation made of the opening of the polls and at
any time before the vote is fully canvassed, fraudulently put a ballot or
ticket in the box, he shall be confined in jail not exceeding one year, and
fined not exceeding one thousand dollars.

Section 268-d. Nonresidents, voting at election in this State, how
punished.—If any person, not a resident of this State, vote at any election
held in this State, he shall be confined in the penitentiary not less than six
nor more than twelve months and fined not exceeding five hundred
dollars; or, in the discretion of the jury, be confined in jail not exceeding
twelve months and fined not exceeding one thousand dollars.

Section 268-e. Giving or receiving bribe or vote, how punished.—
If any person, directly or indirectly, give to a voter in any election any
money, goods, or chattels under an agreement, express or implied, that
such voter shall give his vote for a particular candidate, or for or against
any question voted on at any such election, such person shall be fined not
less than one hundred dollars nor more than one thousand dollars, or
confined in jail not less than one nor more than twelve months. And
the voter receiving such money, goods, or chattels, in pursuance of such
agreement, shall be punished in like manner with the person giving the
same.

Section 268-f. Wilfully rejecting, or corruptly registering a voter,
how punished.—If any officer authorized to admit persons to registration
wilfully or maliciously reject from registration, or corruptly register any
person, contrary to law, he shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor.

Section 268-g. Altering, destroying, etc., books, etc., of registra-
tion, how punished.—If any officer or other person illegally change, alter,
amend, conceal, or destroy any books, ballots or lists of registration, or
any other election records, he shall be fined not less than fifty nor more
than five hundred dollars, or confined in jail not more than twelve months,
either or both, or in the discretion of the jury confined in the peniten-
tiary not less than one nor more than five years.

Section 268-h. Penalties when not specifically provided elsewhere.
—Any violation of the provisions of chapters ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen,
fourteen, fifteen, sixteen and seventeen of the Code of Virginia for which
no punishment has been otherwise provided, shall be deemed a misde-
meanor and shall be punished by a fine of not exceeding one thousand
dollars, or by confinement in jail not exceeding twelve months, or by
both such fine and imprisonment.

2. Chapter one hundred eighty-six of the Code of Virginia, con-
sisting of sections forty-seven hundred twenty-three to forty-seven hun-
dred twenty-nine, both inclusive, is hereby repealed.