Tennessee § 2-19-118 - Unlawful acts related to voting machines, electronic poll books, voting devices, voting systems, vote tabulating devices, ballot tally software program source codes, official voter registration database, keys, or election websites.

§ 2-19-118. Unlawful acts related to voting machines, electronic poll books, voting devices, voting systems, vote tabulating devices, ballot tally software program source codes, official voter registration database, keys, or election websites.

A person commits an offense who, before, during, or after an election: Intentionally tampers, interferes, or attempts to interfere with the correct operation of, or damages in order to prevent the use of, a voting machine, electronic poll book, voting device, voting system, vote tabulating device, or ballot tally software program source codes; Intentionally tampers with, interferes with, attempts to interfere with, obtains unauthorized access to, or attempts to obtain unauthorized access to the official voter registration database, including, but not limited to, attempts to obtain plans, security codes, passwords, combinations, or computer programs used to protect electronic information and government property or information that would identify those areas of structural or operational vulnerability that would permit unlawful disruption to, or interference with the official voter registration database; Knowingly and without authorization makes or has in the person's possession a key to a voting machine, voting system, tabulator, or ballot box that will be used in an election in this state; Intentionally substitutes or attempts to substitute forged or counterfeit election results: or Intentionally and without authorization, directly or indirectly, alters, damages, destroys. or attempts to alter, damage, or destroy or causes disruption to the proper operation of any election website maintained, hosted, or administered by a state or county governmental entity or a third party on behalf of or under contract with a state or county governmental entity. A violation of subsection (a) is a Class D felony. Acts 1972, ch. 740, § 1; T.C.A., § 2-1918; Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 113; 1994, ch. 859, § 11; 2020, ch. 635, § 2. Amendments. The 2020 amendment rewrote the section, which read: “(a) A person who intentionally tampers with, mutilates or defaces a voting machine owned or used by a county or municipality commits an offense.“(b) This section shall not be construed to prohibit a person from performing a duty imposed by law with respect to a voting machine.“(c) A violation of this section is a Class E felony.” Effective Dates. Acts 2020, ch. 635, § 4. April 1, 2020. Cross-References. Penalty for Class D felony, § 40-35-111 .