Michigan lawmakers have approved legislation to ban openly carrying guns at polling places and places where absentee ballots are being counted. The bills, which are now awaiting Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s signature, also prohibit open carry at city and township clerk’s offices in the days leading up to an election.
The move has been praised by Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, who believes it will protect voters from threats, intimidation, and harassment. The proposed law would make it a misdemeanor to openly carry firearms at polling places, early voting locations, and places where absentee ballots are being counted. Concealed carry would still be allowed under the legislation.
Gun rights organizations and conservative election groups had called for the removal of the provision around concealed carry. Uniformed police officers carrying out their duties would not be subject to the restrictions.
The bills, introduced by State Reps. Penelope Tsernoglou and Stephanie Young, aim to maintain election integrity and ensure voters are free from intimidation. Tsernoglou emphasized the need to protect voters from the trauma of gun violence while exercising their right to vote.
If signed into law, Michigan would join 17 other states that already explicitly prohibit guns and other weapons in polling places. The legislation comes as Democrats finalize their priorities in the lame-duck session before the state House flips to Republican control next year.
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