OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Washington Gov. Jay Inslee is urging state lawmakers to approve a bill that would make it a crime for elected officials or candidates to knowingly lie about election outcomes if those claims result in violence. Inslee is a Democrat and said Friday that the measure “confronts an unrelenting threat.” The measure would make it a gross misdemeanor with penalties of up to a year in jail and a $5,000 fine for candidates and elected officials to “knowingly, recklessly, or maliciously” lie about election results that result in violence. In addition to the criminal penalties, elected officials who are convicted would also be removed from office.
Bill targeting election lies mulled by Washington lawmakers
