Benson: Voter Intimidation Illegal, 'Antithetical To...Democracy'

Speaking to local reporters on Monday (November 2), ahead of the historic — and potentially heated — Election Day, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson stressed that voter intimidation will be prosecuted.

She added that any threat to voters by exhibiting a firearm is a felony offense. However, it wasn’t immediately clear what the Michigan Supreme Court’s take is on a lower court’s ruling to allow open carry at polling sites, according to the Detroit Free Press.

Benson’s office and State Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office plan to have a presence at polling place to stop any acts of voter intimidation, the Free Press reported Tuesday morning (November 3).

"The bottom line is that voter intimidation is illegal and it will be charged and prosecuted in our state to the fullest extent of the law," Benson said. Officials are “ready to swiftly respond to and address any instances of threats of intimidation. The idea that any voter should be fearful as they prepare to cast their votes for the leader of the free world is antithetical to everything our democracy stands for."

On October 21, Nessel also warned against “tricksters” in a Halloween-themed voting message.

“Tricksters will tell you your voting information will be improperly shared, or that your vote won’t be correctly tabulated, or that you can’t trust the results of the election,” Nessel warned. "None of (those claims are) true, and all of (them) are scare tactics by people who just don’t want you to vote.”

“There’s never been a more important reason to cast your ballot, to make sure your voice is heard and your vote is counted,” she continued. “So don’t get tricked. Your vote is safe and secure in Michigan, and your information won’t be shared with anyone.”

In Dearborn on Election Day, she encouraged voters to ensure "you’re in line by 8pm to cast your ballot today," and reminded voters that they can register to vote on Election Day if they're not already registered.

Benson encouraged citizens to seek verified information sources when tuning in for election results.

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