Prevention of fraud, coercion, and undue influence; free discussion; acts done in good faith

§ 1085. Prevention of fraud, coercion, and undue influence; free discussion; acts done in good faith (a) Each person concerned with the administration of this chapter shall take all steps necessary to— (1) prevent fraud; (2) protect voters against coercion; and (3) safeguard the integrity and secrecy of the ballots cast. (b) No officer, noncommissioned officer, or petty officer of the armed forces may— (1) attempt to influence a member of the armed forces to vote or not to vote for a particular candidate; or 88 (2) require a member of the armed forces to march to any voting place. (c) Nothing in this chapter prohibits the free discussion of political issues or candidates for political office. (d) No act done in good faith under this chapter by a member of the armed forces, an officer or employee of the Department of Commerce, or a member of the merchant marine of the United States, while exercising his judgment as to what is practicable and compatible with military and merchant-marine operations, is a violation of any law defining offenses against the elective franchise.