Campaigning at the Polls on Election Day
MCL 168.744 addresses campaigning at the polls on Election Day. A person who violates 168.744 is guilty of a misdemeanor.
Guidelines provided by the Michigan Bureau of Elections include the following:
No person is permitted to solicit voters or engage in any type of campaigning within 100 feet of any doorway used by voters to enter the building in which a polling place is located. In addition, no person is permitted to post, display or distribute any material that directly or indirectly makes reference to an election, a candidate or a ballot question in the polling place, in any hallway used by voters to enter or exit the polling place, or within 100 feet of any doorway used by voters to enter the building in which the polling place is located.
The following activities are included under the 100-foot restriction:
- Displaying “pro and con” information on the proposals appearing on the ballot.
- Approaching voters to encourage them to vote for or against a candidate or ballot question.
- Distributing any type of campaign literature or write-in stickers.
- Displaying signs, posters or bumper stickers.
- Attempting to collect petition signatures.
- Requesting donations, selling tickets or engaging in similar activities.
A voter may park a car or other vehicle bearing campaign signs or bumper stickers within 100 feet of a doorway used by voters to enter the building in which the polling place is located during the time he or she is voting. Under any other circumstances, vehicles bearing campaign signs or bumper stickers must be parked at least 100 feet from any doorway used by voters to enter the building in which the polling place is located.
Election inspectors will direct voters entering the polls to remove campaign buttons or cover up clothing which bears any reference to a political party or interest group, campaign slogans or a candidate names. Voters will also be directed to conceal campaign literature or other campaign materials brought into the polls.