How to Report Voter Intimidation: A Step-by-Step Guide

Voter intimidation is a federal crime. Under 18 U.S.C. § 594, anyone who intimidates, threatens, or coerces a person for the purpose of interfering with their right to vote can be imprisoned for up to one year and fined. If you experience or witness intimidation at a polling place, call 911 if you are in danger, then report it to the Election Protection Hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683) and the Department of Justice at 800-253-3931. You can also file a report online at civilrights.justice.gov/report.

What counts as voter intimidation

Federal law defines voter intimidation broadly. The Department of Justice's published guidance states that federal law "prohibits intimidation, threats, and coercion throughout the voting process, including registering to vote, casting a ballot, and even at the stage of counting or tallying votes" (DOJ, "Voter Intimidation Under Federal Law").

The ACLU, Brennan Center, and state election offices have compiled examples of conduct that crosses the line. Based on these sources, voter intimidation includes:

• Physical threats or violence — brandishing a weapon, shoving, or blocking access to a polling place entrance
• Aggressive questioning — confronting voters about their citizenship, criminal record, or other qualifications to vote in a threatening manner
• Paramilitary presence — confronting voters while wearing military-style or official-looking uniforms
• False information — distributing knowingly false information about voting dates, polling locations, or eligibility requirements to suppress turnout (prohibited under 18 U.S.C. § 241 and the NVRA)
• Mass voter challenges — filing baseless, indiscriminate challenges to voter eligibility solely to delay voting or suppress turnout (the DOJ has taken the position that this can violate Section 11(b) of the Voting Rights Act; see Fair Fight, Inc. v. True the Vote, U.S. amicus brief, 2023)
• Economic coercion — threatening someone's job, benefits, or housing based on how they vote or whether they vote
• Intimidation of election workers — threatening poll workers or election officials to disrupt the voting process

The key legal standard is purpose. Under 18 U.S.C. § 594, the conduct must be done "for the purpose of interfering with the right of such other person to vote or to vote as he may choose." Under Section 11(b) of the Voting Rights Act (52 U.S.C. § 10307(b)), the prohibition applies to anyone who "intimidates, threatens, or coerces, or attempts to intimidate, threaten, or coerce any person for voting or attempting to vote."

The federal laws that protect you

Four federal statutes work together to prohibit voter intimidation:

1. 18 U.S.C. § 594 — Intimidation of voters (criminal) This is the primary criminal statute. It prohibits intimidating, threatening, or coercing any person for the purpose of interfering with their right to vote in any election that includes a federal candidate (President, Vice President, Senator, Representative, or Delegate). Violation is punishable by up to one year in federal prison, a fine up to $100,000, or both. It applies to private citizens and government officials alike. Source: 18 U.S.C. § 594, Cornell Law Institute

2. Section 11(b) of the Voting Rights Act, 52 U.S.C. § 10307(b) (civil) This civil provision prohibits any person — "whether acting under color of law or otherwise" — from intimidating, threatening, or coercing any person for voting, attempting to vote, or urging or aiding any person to vote. The DOJ can seek injunctions and restraining orders under this statute to stop intimidation immediately. No showing of intent to intimidate is required — the conduct itself is prohibited. Source: DOJ Voting Methods Guidance, govinfo.gov

3. Section 131 of the Civil Rights Act of 1957, 52 U.S.C. § 10101(b) (civil) This statute prohibits any person, whether acting under color of law or not, from intimidating, threatening, or coercing any person for the purpose of interfering with their right to vote in any election. When the Attorney General has reasonable grounds to believe a violation has occurred, the DOJ can file a civil action. Source: DOJ Voting Methods Guidance, govinfo.gov

4. Section 12 of the National Voter Registration Act, 52 U.S.C. § 20511(1)(A) (criminal) This provision makes it a federal crime to intimidate or attempt to intimidate any person for registering to vote or voting, or for urging or aiding any person to register or vote. Source: Brennan Center for Justice

How to report voter intimidation: step by step

Step 1: If you are in immediate danger, call 911

The DOJ's guidance is explicit: "If you witness or experience intimidation, coercion, or any criminal activity in connection with voting, contact local law enforcement immediately." Physical threats, weapons, and violence at a polling place are emergencies — call 911 first. Source: DOJ, "Voter Intimidation Under Federal Law"

Step 2: Report it to your local or state election official

Local election officials have direct authority over the conduct of elections at polling places. They can remove disruptive individuals, relocate polling places, and take immediate corrective action. Find your state election office through the U.S. Election Assistance Commission directory or contact your county board of elections. Source: USAGov, "Voter fraud, voter suppression, and other election crimes"

Step 3: Call the Election Protection Hotline

The Election Protection Hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683) is staffed by attorneys and trained volunteers during federal elections. They provide real-time legal guidance, can dispatch volunteer attorneys to polling places, and document incidents for potential litigation. The hotline is operated by the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law.

Language-specific hotlines:

• English: 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683)
• Spanish: 888-VE-Y-VOTA (888-839-8682)
• Asian languages: 888-API-VOTE (888-274-8683)
• Arabic: 844-YALLA-US (844-925-5287)
• American Sign Language (video): 301-818-VOTE (301-818-8683)

Source: Election Protection, protectionsforelections.org

Step 4: File a report with the Department of Justice

The DOJ Civil Rights Division Voting Section accepts complaints about violations of federal voting rights laws. There are no special forms or procedures — you can report by:

• Phone (toll-free): 800-253-3931
• Phone (direct): 202-307-2767
• Online: civilrights.justice.gov/report
• Email: Voting.Section@usdoj.gov

Source: DOJ Civil Rights Division, "Contacting the Voting Section"

Step 5: Report criminal activity to the FBI

For criminal conduct — threats of violence, weapon brandishing, or coercion — report to the FBI:

• Phone: 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324)
• Online: tips.fbi.gov

The DOJ recommends reporting to both local U.S. Attorney's Offices and the FBI for election-crime complaints. Source: DOJ, "Voter Intimidation Under Federal Law"

What to document right now

If you experience or witness voter intimidation, the evidence you collect in the moment matters. Preserve everything in its original format with metadata intact — photographs, video, and written notes can support both DOJ investigations and civil litigation.

Document the following:

• Date, time, and exact location (polling place name, address, and precinct number if visible)
• What happened — a factual description of the intimidating conduct, in chronological order
• Who was involved — physical descriptions, names if known, whether they identified themselves as poll watchers, election observers, law enforcement, or private individuals
• Witnesses — names and contact information of anyone else who saw or experienced the same conduct
• Photos and video — keep the original files with timestamps; do not edit or alter them
• What you were told — any statements made to you, verbatim if possible, including threats, false information, or demands
• Who you reported it to — note every call you made, the time, and the name of the person you spoke with

The DOJ's guidance states: "Reports from members of the public are important to enforcement of laws protecting the right to vote." Your documentation is how enforcement happens. Source: DOJ, "Voter Intimidation Under Federal Law"

What happens after you report

When you file a report with the DOJ Civil Rights Division, the Voting Section reviews the complaint and determines whether to open an investigation. The DOJ can:

• File a civil action seeking an injunction or restraining order under Section 11(b) of the Voting Rights Act or Section 131 of the Civil Rights Act of 1957
• Refer the matter for criminal prosecution under 18 U.S.C. § 594 or other criminal statutes
• Coordinate with U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the FBI on criminal investigations
• Monitor polling places — the DOJ sends federal observers to jurisdictions with histories of voting rights violations under court orders or consent decrees

There is no filing deadline for reporting voter intimidation to the DOJ. However, reporting promptly — the same day, while evidence and witnesses are available — strengthens any investigation or legal action. The DOJ deploys staff to monitor elections and takes same-day complaints seriously.

State-level protections

Many states have their own voter intimidation statutes in addition to federal law. For example:

• States may criminalize specific conduct like mass voter challenges, deceptive election materials, or interference with election workers
• Some states provide anonymous reporting systems for voter intimidation
• State attorneys general may operate election-day voter protection hotlines

Check your state's secretary of state or attorney general website for state-specific reporting channels. State laws can provide additional remedies beyond federal law, including state-court injunctions and state criminal penalties.

Your rights while voting

If someone is intimidating you at the polls, you do not have to leave. Key protections:

• You have the right to vote free from intimidation — this is federal law, not a courtesy
• You can request a provisional ballot if a poll worker tells you that you cannot vote — federal law (the Help America Vote Act, 52 U.S.C. § 21082) requires poll workers to offer one
• You can ask the poll worker in charge to remove disruptive individuals — the chief election judge at each precinct has authority over the polling place
• You can call 866-OUR-VOTE while still at the polls — the hotline can provide legal guidance and dispatch volunteer attorneys
• Armed federal agents are restricted at polling places — federal law restricts the presence of armed federal personnel at polling places except in specific circumstances

Document it before you forget

If this happened to you, the deadline clock is already running. IronRecord lets you document the incident now — timestamped, with evidence attached — and calculates your filing deadline automatically. Free to start, no lawyer required.

Start your free record at ironrecord.org/dashboard

When you're ready, you can share your full documented record with a civil-rights attorney in one click.

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This article provides general legal information, not legal advice. Federal and state voting rights laws are complex and change. If you need legal help with a specific situation, contact the Election Protection Hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE or a civil-rights attorney in your state.