VIDEO: Federal, state authorities prepare for election day

LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — With 19 days to election day, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten have issued guidance in the event of problems at the polls.

Nessel issued a 14-page guidance for law enforcement on how to address polling issues, including protesters at the polls, vandalism of ballot drop boxes and firearms at polling locations.

“This guidance is critical to keep us all on the same page, preserve the rights of Michiganders in every community, and to maintain a safe environment at every polling location across the State,” Nessel said in a news release. “It’s up to law enforcement, from my office to our State Police, to sheriff’s departments and local agencies in every community, to preserve public safety, and help ensure a secure, legal voting environment this November, and it is our hope this letter will help your local police department be aware of critical election statutes, how to assess violations, and resolve any number of possible incidents on Election Day and through the vote-counting period.”

Totten announced he’d assigned Assistant United States Attorney Austin Hakes to oversee election day responses related to possible problems at the polls. Hakes will handle complaints related to intimidation, voting rights violations and other concerns — and will be consulting with officials at the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington D.C. as well.

The office has also established a hotline for election concerns: 616-808-2140.

“Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted in a fair and free election,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “Similarly, election officials and staff must be able to serve without being subject to unlawful threats of violence.  The Department of Justice will always work tirelessly to protect the integrity of the election process.”

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