mi-electorate political action committee

Federal Agents at the Polls

Trump's Department of Justice (DoJ) announced federal agents will be involved in Michigan's elections. Michigan is not Trump's first victim. Federal agents tried to intimidate a poll worker in Syracuse.

Here, we list ways any Michigan voter can protect themselves before and after an election.

Get your ballot in on time

If you chose to mail in your ballot, mail it by Monday, July 27^th - and preferably, earlier.

If you chose to use a drop box, we recommend you drop your ballot off by Sunday, August 2^nd - and preferably, earlier. We recommend against using a drop box on election day, because we've seen too many voters put their ballot in the wrong box on election day. In that situation, voters cannot deliver their ballots to the correct clerk before the polls close. You are better off casting your ballot in person at an early voting site.

On election day, either cast your ballot at your poll or deliver it by hand to your local clerk. Before 8pm either your ballot must be received or you must be in line to vote.

Tracking your ballot

You can easily track your ballot using the Secretary of State's electronic notification system. The Secretary of State's data updates daily.

Alternatively, you can ask your local clerk if your ballot arrived.

Some jurisdictions let you look for your ballot... AFTER the election.

Election Interference

Here's a short list of laws that might be relevant to an in-state Michigan voter.

How are you protected?
No civil processes can be legally served on voters on primary election day.
Armed federal agents are not allowed at the polls. ¹
Federal agents cannot interfere with elections.
Seizing ballots (or any public records) is illegal.
Who is in charge?
Poll workers maintain peace and order at the polls
Local clerks administer elections.
Generally, the Secretary of State enforces election law.
Police may ARREST, without a warrant, anyone committing a crime in their presence.
Police may ARREST, without a warrant, anyone committing a felony, given reasonable cause.
Courts hold that police have a duty to intervene if they observe another officer breaking the law.
Police may start criminal proceedings.
County prosecutors prosecute criminal proceedings.
What are the penalties?
Intimidating voters is a FELONY. Intimidating voters in a federal election is either a misdemeanor or FELONY, under several statutes.
Vandalizing a drop box can be a FELONY.
Disturbing the peace is a misdemeanor.
Intimidating or interfering with poll workers is a misdemeanor.
Intentionally delaying or annoying voters is a misdemeanor.
Brandishing firearms is a misdemeanor.
Bringing a firearm within 100 feet of a poll, or a drop box or a mail-in ballot counting place can be a misdemeanor.
Lying to voters can be a misdemeanor!