Electoral legislation establishes
a number of electoral processes, not only for voting procedures but also
election financing, registration of candidates and political parties, the
election campaign, election advertising, the media, and sometimes interest groups.
With this broad range of areas covered by statute and regulations, there is an
equally wide array of possible offences.
For instance, offences may
involve exerting undue influence on the vote and election results, obstructing
election operations, failing to observe prescribed limits on expenses or
contributions, showing partiality as an electoral administrator, running
election ads during blackout periods, or using lists of electors for personal or
political purposes.
Legislation often makes
distinctions according to the nature and seriousness of an offence, and may also
establish the degree of intent required to find someone guilty. It treats
some offences as minor and others as more serious infractions. Another
distinction is between hard and fast offences, where the simple fact that an
act occurred is enough to determine guilt, and offences committed with the
requisite intent. Penalties are usually applied proportionately
to the nature and seriousness of an offence.
