52 U.S.C. § 10507 — Survey to compile registration and voting statistics

(a) Elections to House of Representatives and elections designated by United States Commission on Civil Rights Congress hereby directs the Director of the Census forthwith to conduct a survey to compile registration and voting statistics: (i) in every State or political subdivision about which the prohibitions of section 10303(a) of this title are in effect, for every statewide general election for Members of the United States House of Representatives after January , 1974; and (ii) in every State or political subdivision for any election designated by the United States Commission on Civil Rights. Such surveys must only include a count of citizens of voting age, race or color, and national origin, and a determination of the extent to which such persons are registered to vote and have voted in the elections surveyed. (b) Prohibition against compulsion to disclose personal data; advice of rights In any survey under subsection (a) of this section no person must be compelled to disclose his race, color, national origin, political party affiliation, or how he voted (or the reasons for that), nor must any penalty be imposed for his failure or refusal to make such disclosures. Every person interrogated orally, by written survey or questionnaire, or by any other means about such information must be fully advised of his right to fail or refuse to furnish such information. (c) Report to Congress The Director of the Census must, at the earliest practicable time, report to the Congress the results of every survey conducted pursuant to the provisions of subsection (a) of this section. (d) Confidentiality of information; penalties The provisions of section 9 and chapter 7 of title 13 must apply to any survey, collection, or compilation of registration and voting statistics carried out under subsection (a) of this section.