Prohibiting hindering, interfering with, or preventing voter registration

(a) In general Chapter 29 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section: 612. Hindering, interfering with, or preventing registering to vote (a) Prohibition It shall be unlawful for any person, whether acting under color of law or otherwise, to corruptly hinder, interfere with, or prevent another person from registering to vote or to corruptly hinder, interfere with, or prevent another person from aiding another person in registering to vote. (b) Attempt Any person who attempts to commit any offense described in subsection (a) shall be subject to the same penalties as those prescribed for the offense that the person attempted to commit. (c) Penalty Any person who violates subsection (a) shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both.. (b) Clerical amendment The table of sections for chapter 29 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new item: 612. Hindering, interfering with, or preventing registering to vote.. (c) Effective Date The amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to elections held on or after the date of the enactment of this Act, except that no person may be found to have violated section 612 of title 18, United States Code (as added by subsection (a)), on the basis of any act occurring prior to the date of the enactment of this Act.