Political Rights - Offenses Involving Individual Rights
§2H3.1 | GUIDELINES MANUAL | November 1, 2005 |
§2H1.5. [Deleted]
Historical Note:: Section 2H1.5 (Other Deprivations of Rights or Benefits in Furtherance of Discrimination), effective November 1, 1987, amended effective November 1, 1989 (see Appendix C, amendment 167) and November 1, 1990 (see Appendix C, amendment 328), was deleted by consolidation with §2H1.1 effective November 1, 1995 (see Appendix C, amendment 521).
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2. POLITICAL RIGHTS
§2H2.1. Obstructing an Election or Registration
(a) Base Offense Level (Apply the greatest):
(1) 18, if the obstruction occurred by use of force or threat of force against person(s) or property; or
(2) 12, if the obstruction occurred by forgery, fraud, theft, bribery, deceit, or other means, except as provided in (3) below; or
(3) 6, if the defendant (A) solicited, demanded, accepted, or agreed to accept anything of value to vote, refrain from voting, vote for or against a particular candidate, or register to vote, (B) gave false information to establish eligibility to vote, or (C) voted more than once in a federal election.
Commentary
Statutory Provisions: 18 U.S.C. §§ 241, 242, 245(b)(1)(A), 592, 593, 594, 597, 1015(f); 42 U.S.C. §§ 1973i, 1973j(a), (b). For additional statutory provision(s), see Appendix A (Statutory Index).
Application Note:
1. If the offense resulted in bodily injury or significant property damage, or involved corrupting a public official, an upward departure may be warranted. See Chapter Five, Part K (Departures).
Background: Alternative base offense levels cover three major ways of obstructing an election: by force, by deceptive or dishonest conduct, or by bribery. A defendant who is a public official or who directs others to engage in criminal conduct is subject to an enhancement from Chapter Three, Part B (Role in the Offense).
Historical Note:: Effective November 1, 1987. Amended effective November 1, 1989 (see Appendix C, amendment 168); November 1, 1995 (see Appendix C, amendment 534); November 1, 2003 (see Appendix C, amendment 661).
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