Expenditures to influence voting
Official text prohibited actmental stateif conditionpenaltylegal term
Whoever makes or offers to make an expenditure to any person, either to vote or withhold his vote, or to vote for or against any candidate; and
Whoever solicits, accepts, or receives any such expenditure in consideration of his vote or the withholding of his vote—
Shall be or imprisoned not more than one year, or both; and if the violation was willful, shall be or imprisoned not more than two years, or both.
History: (June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 721 (PDF, 39 MB); Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, §330016(1)(H), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147 (PDF, 52 MB); Pub. L. 104–294, title VI, §601(a)(12), Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3498.)
Simplified explanation
It is a federal crime to pay or offer to pay someone to vote, not vote, or vote for or against a candidate. It is also a crime to ask for or accept such payment in exchange for a vote.