Bill > H5300

This bill expands legal protections for election officials by amending existing laws about threats to public officials. Specifically, the bill creates a new misdemeanor offense for making threats against election officials, including poll workers, election workers, wardens, moderators, and board of canvassers members. Under the new provision, anyone who knowingly delivers a verbal or written threat to take the life of or inflict bodily harm upon an election official (or their immediate family) because of their work can be punished by up to one year in prison, a fine of up to $1,000, or both. The bill also adds a definition of "election official" to the existing law, clarifying that it includes various types of election workers who are appointed, hired, or assigned to polling places and whose roles are defined by statute, town charter, or ordinance. By creating this specific category of protection, the bill aims to deter intimidation and threats against those who play critical roles in administering elections, thereby helping to safeguard the electoral process.

Justice

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