Intimidating voters at the polls has been a problem ever since we first disagreed about what kind of people should vote. With tensions running high this year, here’s how to spot voter intimidation and ballot irregularities, and what to do if you see it.


Under Federal law, it’s a felony to intimidate, threaten, or coerce voters at the polls into voting for a particular candidate (or into not voting at all). It’s punishable by a fine and up to a year in prison. While it sounds straightforward, what legally counts as “intimidation” can be a little murky. Even if no one is specifically trying to prevent you from voting, errors and mistakes can still happen that you might find concerning. In general, however, there are a few things that are important to watch for:

Violence or threats of violence are banned. During the Jim Crow era Voting Rights Act

During Most states restrict or ban campaigning near polling places. You may not think of campaigning as “intimidation” but turning a polling place into a rally for a particular candidate can unfairly sway voters in that area. Most states restrict this practice, requiring any campaigning activities to stay a minimum distance from the polling location.

You may not think of campaigning as “intimidation” but turning a polling place into a rally for a particular candidate can unfairly sway voters in that area. Most states restrict this practice, requiring any campaigning activities to stay a minimum distance from the polling location. Enforcing polling rules is a fine line, best left to officials. States have the right to employ poll watchers to ensure voting rules are followed, and most of those watchers are volunteers who sign up before the election. 46 states also allow private citizens to challenge someone else’s voting status

States have the right to employ poll watchers to ensure voting rules are followed, and most of those watchers are volunteers who sign up before the election. 46 states also Older voting machines might have problems, so notify poll workers. Amidst rampant claims of election “rigging,” it’s easy to get worried if you try to tap one candidate and an electronic voting machine lights up for someone else. While your first instinct might go to vote rigging , the real culprit is likely old, clunky touchscreens if it’s allowed by your state


Unfortunately, aside from clear acts of violence, it’s not always easy to determine what qualifies as voter intimidation. However, as long as you’ve met your state’s registration requirements, you have the right to have your vote counted. If you feel that someone’s pressuring you into not voting or trying to block you from getting your vote in, you can report it.

If you believe someone is illegally intimidating you or someone else into changing or withholding your vote, you can call the U.S. Department of Justice at 800-253-3931 or report it to the non-partisan Election Protection coalition at 866-OUR-VOTE. If you’re able, also speak to the election officials at your polling location to ensure they’re aware of anyone on the premises who is intimidating voters that shouldn’t be there. They should also be able to tell you how to make sure that your vote is counted, even if someone’s trying to prevent it.