Federal law prohibits anyone from knowingly or willfully paying or offering to pay or accepting payment for registering to vote or voting (42 USC § 1973i(c)). It applies to primaries and elections that have candidates on the ballot for the office of president, vice president, presidential elector, or member of Congress, whether or not the violation alleges payment related to a candidate for one of those particular offices. It includes criminal penalties for violations.
Giving free stuff for voting clash with federal law - POLITICO
https://www.politico.com/blogs/unde...lated-giveaways-clash-with-federal-law-148481
And I will admit there are those who take the other side of the issue
Is it legal to hand out food to people waiting in line at voting locations?
Groups and nonprofits around the country have started handing out food to voters waiting in long lines. But what does federal election law say about it?
https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/...erify/65-ecb2c533-8856-482d-bccc-721e77043252
It is not the other side of the issue.. it is the correct reading of the law:
QUESTION:
Is it legal under federal law to hand out food to voters waiting in line at polling places?
ANSWER:
Yes, as long as they are not asking for anything in return or trying to influence someone's vote.
