§ 17-23-5. Bribery or intimidation of voters — Immunity of witnesses in bribery trials.
Every person who directly or indirectly gives, or offers to agree to give, to any elector or to any person for the benefit of any elector, any sum of money or other valuable consideration for the purpose of inducing the elector to give in or withhold that elector’s vote at any election in this state, or by way of reward for having voted or withheld that elector’s vote, or who uses any threat or employs any means of intimidation for the purpose of influencing the elector to vote or withhold that elector’s vote for or against any candidate or candidates or proposition pending at an election, shall be guilty of a felony, and no person after conviction of this offense, shall be permitted to vote in any election or upon any proposition pending before the people, or to hold any public office; and no evidence given by any witness testifying upon the trial of any charge of bribery shall be used against the person giving the evidence.
History of Section.G.L. 1896, ch. 14, § 3; P.L. 1907, ch. 1428, § 1; G.L. 1909, ch. 20, § 3; G.L. 1923, ch. 19, § 3; P.L. 1936 (s.s.), ch. 2468, § 1; G.L. 1938, ch. 325, § 5; G.L. 1956, § 17-23-5; P.L. 1958, ch. 18, § 1; P.L. 1978, ch. 201, § 13.
Structure Rhode Island General Laws
Chapter 17-23 - Election Offenses
Section 17-23-1. - Signature and labeling of advertising in periodicals.
Section 17-23-2. - Signature of posters, fliers, and circulars.
Section 17-23-3. - Penalty for advertising violations.
Section 17-23-4. - Fraudulent or repeat voting.
Section 17-23-5. - Bribery or intimidation of voters — Immunity of witnesses in bribery trials.
Section 17-23-6. - Improper influence by employers.
Section 17-23-7. - Protection of names of major parties.
Section 17-23-8. - Failure to furnish certificate of election.
Section 17-23-9. - Violations as to nomination papers or withdrawals — Protection of party emblems.
Section 17-23-10. - Violations by public officers generally.
Section 17-23-11. - Limitation of prosecutions — Payment to complainant.
Section 17-23-12. - Qualification of person obtaining signatures.
Section 17-23-13. - Sound equipment.
Section 17-23-14. - Political advertising.
Section 17-23-15. - Polling or surveying of voter opinion.
Section 17-23-16. - Guaranteed access in exchange for contributions prohibited.
Section 17-23-17. - Violations with respect to elections.
Section 17-23-18. - Political advertising from official budgets prohibited.