Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Bill Passes House
by Amanda Adams*, 6/27/2007
The House passed the Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act of 2007, (H.R. 1281) to prohibit deceptive practices in federal elections, making it a felony to knowingly communicate false election information to prevent another person from voting. BNA Money and Politics ($$) reports that "the new House bill did not reflect GOP concerns about voter fraud, no one voiced opposition to the measure during a brief debate on the House floor June 25. The bill was passed by voice vote under a special procedure for noncontroversial measures, known as suspension of the rules." A similar bill has been introduced in the Senate (S. 453) by Senator Barack Obama (D-IL).
