voter intimidation

[ voh-ter in-tim-i-dey-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act or process of attempting to deter voters from registering to vote or from casting a ballot, by force or intimidation, including the dissemination of personal information that would make voters the target of harassment, illegal or inappropriate monitoring or surveillance of voters, and threats of either violence or prosecution:

   Existing federal and state laws that prohibit voter intimidation, including the prohibition of firearms at polling locations, went unenforced by local officials.

Word History and Origins

Origin of voter intimidation¹

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

On Tuesday afternoon, Philadelphia authorities said they also received reports of voter intimidation, including calls about people blocking entrances to polling stations, CBS News reported.

From Salon

The Indiana Democratic Party called the incidents “nothing more than voter intimidation.”

From Los Angeles Times

Amid the deep polarization among the nation’s citizenry in the aftermath of the Jan. 6 insurrection and the COVID-19 pandemic, law enforcement officials were girding for threats against election workers, violence at polling places and voter intimidation — and preparing for what happens once the final ballots are cast.

From Los Angeles Times

As many folks pointed out in the community notes that overwhelmed his tweet, "This is called voter intimidation," and can be a crime.

From Salon

And some precincts in the eastern part of the state are reporting multiple attempts at voter intimidation.

From Slate