HB 19 ELECTION OFFENSE- FALSE ELECTORS

Rep Gail C. Chasey

Actions: [4] HGEIC/HJC-HGEIC [7] DP-HJC [10] DP

Scheduled: Not Scheduled

 House Bill 19 (HB 19) creates two new election-related offenses: disrupting election results and falsely acting as a presidential elector. This bill has an emergency clause, to take effect immediately.  

 House Bill 19 (HB 19) enacts new sections of the Election Code that creates two new election-related offenses. The attorney general or a district attorney may prosecute both offenses. 

First, HB 19 creates the third-degree felony crime of “disrupting election results.” This offense consists of a person who knowingly or recklessly suppresses, defaces, alters, forges, or makes false entries in a county canvass report, certificate of canvass, certificate of election, report of the state canvass or certificate of ascertainment of appointment of electors. It can also be committed when a person who knowingly or recklessly prepares or submits a false canvass report, certificate of canvass, certificate of election, report of the state canvass or certificate of ascertainment of appointment of electors. 

Second, HB 19 creates the third-degree felony crime of “falsely acting as a presidential elector.” This offense consists of a person who knowingly or recklessly makes a false representation to an election official or in an election document that the person is an elected presidential elector for the state. It is not a defense that the person’s representation as an elector is conditional upon the occurrence of a future event. 

HB 19 has an emergency clause, to take effect immediately.