Proposal would bar armed troops and election interference at Michigan voting sites

Covered officers and personnel would be barred from ordering, bringing, or keeping troops or armed individuals at election locations. It covers officers of the U.S. Armed Forces, its Reserve, or the Michigan National Guard; officers of other U.S. civil, military, or naval services; and ICE officers. The restriction does not apply when armed force is necessary to repel armed enemies of the United States. It applies at polling places, early voting sites, ballot counting locations, clerk's offices during election work, and places where officials canvass or certify results. The text states no start date.

Covered officers and personnel would be barred from interfering with voter rights or election officials' work. It covers officers or members of the U.S. Armed Forces, its Reserve, or the Michigan National Guard; officers or members of other U.S. civil, military, or naval services; and ICE officers or personnel. They could not set voter qualifications, use force or other means to prevent qualified voters from voting, compel officials to accept votes from people who are not legally qualified, impose different election rules, or interfere with officials' duties. The section does not prevent qualified voters from voting. These restrictions apply in connection with elections in Michigan; the text states no start date.

An individual who violates either restriction could face criminal penalties, and public officials or an aggrieved person could bring enforcement actions. The penalties and enforcement options concern violations of the armed-presence and election-conduct restrictions in section 932n. A first offense would be a misdemeanor punishable by up to 93 days in jail, a fine up to $500, or both; a second would be a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail, a fine up to $1,000, or both; a third or later offense would be a felony. The attorney general or the proper county prosecutor may investigate and bring an action. An aggrieved person may sue, and a winning plaintiff must receive reasonable attorney, expert, and litigation fees, plus any other fees the court finds appropriate. The attorney general may also seek court orders, including a temporary restraining order or an injunction. These remedies do not restrict other laws from applying. Penalties depend on whether the violation is a first, second, or third or later offense; the text states no start date.