LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan Supreme Court did not respond to a request from Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Attorney General Dana Nessel to review challenges to a directive to ban open carry of firearms at polls on Election Day.
Under the directive, open carry of firearms would have been prohibited in any polling place, in any hallway used by voters to enter or exit or within 100 feet of any entrance to a building in which a polling place was located, in clerks’ offices and absent voter counting boards on Tuesday.
Two lawsuits challenged the directive, and on Friday a trial court granted an injunction in the case.
The Michigan Court of Appeals declined to hear the appeal.
State officials requested the Michigan Supreme Court to answer by 10 a.m. Monday – before Election Day – but did not get a response.
That means the decision will stand.
“Though I am disappointed that the Supreme Court hasn’t provided guidance in advance of Election Day, it does not change the fact that voter intimidation is still illegal in Michigan,” Nessel said. “Those who attempt to deter or interfere with someone trying to exercise the fundamental right to vote will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
Benson says safety at the polls will be the state’s top priority.
