Whoever, being a commissioned, noncommissioned, warrant, or petty officer of an Armed Force, uses military authority to influence the vote of a member of the Armed Forces or to require a member of the Armed Forces to march to a polling place, or attempts to do so, shall be fined in accordance with this title or imprisoned not more than five years, or both. Nothing in this section shall prohibit free discussion of political issues or candidates for public office.
Pub. L. 99–410, title II, § 202(a)100 Stat. 929(Added , , .)
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
act June 25, 1948, ch. 64562 Stat. 723Pub. L. 92–225, title II, § 20486 Stat. 10A prior section 609, , , prescribed maximum contributions and expenditures limitation of $3,000,000 for any calendar year, prior to repeal by , , , effective sixty days after .
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
section 204 of Pub. L. 99–410section 20301 of Title 52Section applicable with respect to elections taking place after , see , set out as a note under , Voting and Elections.