DEPARTMENT OF STATE  
BUREAU OF ELECTIONS  
ELECTION CHALLENGERS AND POLL WATCHERS  
(By authority conferred on the secretary of state by section 31 of the Michigan  
election law, 1954 PA 116, MCL 168.31)  
R 168.201 Definitions.  
Rule 1. (1) As used in these rules:  
(a) “Absent voter ballot processing facility” means the location where a single  
absent voter counting board, multiple absent voter counting boards, a single  
combined absent voter counting board, or multiple combined absent voter counting  
boards are conducted. Absent voter ballot processing facilities do not include a  
clerk’s office or other locations where absent voter ballots are stored, signatures  
appearing on absent voter ballot envelopes are checked, or other election-related  
activities are conducted before absent voter ballots being removed from absent  
voter ballot envelopes and prepared for tabulation.  
(b) “Act” means the Michigan election law, 1954 PA 116, MCL 168.1 to  
168.992.  
(c) “Challenge” means a challenge made by a challenger credentialed by a  
credentialing organization. For the purposes of these rules, a challenged ballot  
issued to a voter for a reason other than a challenge made by a challenger is not  
a challenge and does not require any of the reporting or other requirements  
created by a challenge made by a credentialed challenger.  
(d) “Challenger” means an individual credentialed as the representative of a  
credentialing organization to observe election-related activities at an early voting  
site, a polling place on Election Day, an absent voter ballot processing facility, or  
a clerk’s office at any time the applicable location is open to the public. An  
individual shall not serve as a challenger if the individual is serving as an election  
inspector or individual is running for nomination or election at the same election,  
except that candidates for precinct delegate can serve as challengers so long as  
the candidates do not serve at the precinct where the candidates are running for  
office.  
(e) “Clerk’s office” means any location where a clerk or an employee of the  
clerk is issuing absent voter ballots to voters who appear in person and accepting  
completed absent voter ballots from voters who appear in person. This definition  
includes satellite offices or other locations established on a temporary or  
permanent basis to issue absent voter ballots to voters appearing in person or  
receive absent voter ballots from voters appearing in person.  
(f) “Combined absent voter counting board” is an absent voter counting board  
established under section 764d(1) of the act, MCL 168.764d, or an absent voter  
counting board established to process each ballot form containing identical offices  
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and names in a jurisdiction with more than 250 precincts under section 569a(2) of  
the act, MCL 168.569a.  
(g) “Credential card” is the card required to be included in an application to  
become a credentialing organization under section 731(1) of the act, MCL 168.731,  
and the authority required to be signed by the individual identified under section  
732 of the act, MCL 168.732. The authority must be in a form prescribed by the  
secretary of state and be known as the Michigan challenger credential card.  
(h) “Credentialing organization” means an organization that is eligible to  
appoint and credential challengers in this state. A credentialing organization is an  
entity described in section 730 of the act, MCL 168.730. A credentialing  
organization other than a political party committee shall have satisfied the  
requirements of section 731 of the act, MCL 168.731.  
(i) “Election staff” includes the clerk of a jurisdiction, employees and  
authorized assistants of that clerk, the secretary of state, any member of the  
secretary of state staff, the director of elections, and any member of the bureau of  
elections staff.  
(j) “Pollbook” refers to either a physical or electronic pollbook.  
(k) “Poll watcher” is a member of the public who is observing election  
processes and is not credentialed as a challenger. A candidate shall not serve as  
a poll watcher at a location where the candidate appears on the ballot.  
(l) “Team of election inspectors” refers to the set of election inspectors  
assigned to process ballots at an individual absent voter count board or a  
combined absent voter count board.  
(2) Unless otherwise defined in these rules, a term defined in the act has the  
same meaning when used in these rules.  
History: 2026 MR 9, Eff. May 6, 2026.  
R 168.202 Pollbook records.  
Rule 2. (1) If both a physical and an electronic pollbook are utilized at an  
Election Day polling place, early voting site, or absent voter ballot counting facility,  
the clerk of the jurisdiction shall direct the records required by these rules to be  
recorded in the physical pollbook, the electronic pollbook, or both.  
(2) Regardless of the form of pollbook used at an Election Day polling place,  
early voting site, or absent voter ballot counting facility, any challenge forms  
completed under R 168.213(2) must be stored by the local clerk in the same  
manner as the physical pollbook is stored.  
History: 2026 MR 9, Eff. May 6, 2026.  
R 168.203 Record of individuals serving as challengers; organizational  
training.  
Rule 3. (1) For each challenger to whom a credentialing organization provides  
credentials, the credentialing organization shall keep the following records:  
(a) The challenger’s name.  
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(b) The challenger’s mobile phone number, if the challenger has a mobile  
phone.  
(c) Other contact information that may be used to contact the challenger  
during the performance of the challenger’s duties.  
(d) The city or township where the challenger is registered to vote.  
(e) Each Election Day polling place, early voting site, and absent voter ballot  
processing facility where the challenger is designated to serve.  
(2) Before the beginning of service by any challenger, the credentialing  
organization shall designate a member of the credentialing organization to be a  
point of contact between the credentialing organization and election officials.  
Except for political parties appointing challengers, the credentialing organization  
shall make the point of contact known to the secretary of state and the clerk of  
each jurisdiction where the credentialing organization is appointing challengers,  
using a form prescribed by the secretary of state. Political parties appointing  
challengers shall make the point of contact known to the secretary of state, using  
a form prescribed by the secretary of state. The individual serving as a point of  
contact shall be available to be contacted by election officials at any time when a  
challenger credentialed by the credentialing organization is serving as a  
challenger. The point of contact shall have the records described in subrule (1) of  
this rule readily available for reference if contacted by an election official.  
(3) The records described in subrule (1) of this rule must be retained by the  
credentialing organization for 1 year after the date of the challenger’s service.  
(4) Before issuing credentials to any challengers, each individual issuing  
credentials on behalf of the credentialing organization shall complete training  
created by the secretary of state for credentialing organizations. This training must  
include information about permissible and impermissible challenges, and the rights  
and duties of challengers. The training may include certification that the individual  
has reviewed written materials designated by the secretary of state or may include  
virtual or in-person training.  
History: 2026 MR 9, Eff. May 6, 2026.  
R 168.204 Credential card.  
Rule 4. (1) The authority required under section 732 of the act, MCL 168.732,  
shall be in a form prescribed by the secretary of state, and be known as the  
Michigan challenger credential card.  
(2) A credential card may be digital and presented on a phone or other  
electronic device. If a challenger uses a digital credential, the credential must  
mirror the physical template credential form promulgated by the secretary of state  
and must not include any information or graphics that are not included or requested  
on the physical template credential form.  
(3) No county, city, or township clerk shall approve an organization’s  
application to credential challengers under section 731(1) of the act, MCL 168.731,  
unless the facsimile of the credential card submitted by the organization is in a  
form prescribed by the secretary of state.  
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(4) If any field required on the credential card is blank, the credential is invalid  
and the individual presenting the form cannot serve as a challenger.  
(5) The credential card shall not be displayed or shown to voters.  
(6) Clerks may allow or require challengers serving at a polling place on  
Election Day, at an early voting site during the early voting period, or at a clerk’s  
office at any time that voters are present, to wear a reasonably sized nametag or  
badge. The nametag or badge cannot include any text or graphics aside from the  
challenger’s name and the words “election challenger”. The nametag must be  
printed on white paper, and the words “election challenger” must be printed in black  
ink.  
(7) Clerks may allow or require challengers present at absent voter ballot  
processing facilities to display the challenger’s credential card or wear nametags  
or badges that identify challengers and the organization represented by the  
challenger.  
History: 2026 MR 9, Eff. May 6, 2026.  
R 168.205 Challenger liaison.  
Rule 5. (1) Each clerk shall designate 1 or more election inspectors per  
Election Day polling place, early voting site, or absent voter ballot processing  
facility as a challenger liaison. Unless otherwise specified, the challenger liaison  
at election related sites is the following:  
(a) At an Election Day polling place, the precinct chairperson.  
(b) At an early voting site, the early voting site chairperson.  
(c) At the clerk’s office, the most senior member of the clerk’s election staff  
present.  
(2) Challengers shall not communicate with election inspectors other than the  
challenger liaison or the challenger liaison’s designee unless otherwise instructed  
by the challenger liaison or a member of the clerk’s staff.  
(3) The challenger liaison is responsible for answering challenger questions  
and addressing challenger concerns. The challenger liaison is made known to  
challengers on the challenger’s arrival at the Election Day polling place, early  
voting site, absent voter ballot processing facility, or clerk’s office.  
(4) If multiple precincts or absent voter counting boards are included in a  
single location, a single election inspector may serve as the challenger liaison for  
multiple precincts or absent voter counting boards.  
(5) Challenger liaisons are responsible for maintaining an orderly election  
process in the location where the challenger liaisons serve. Challenger liaisons  
may issue directions to challengers to ensure compliance with the act; with the  
election inspector’s duty to maintain the peace, regularity, and order at the location  
where the challenger liaisons are serving under section 678 of the act, MCL  
168.678; with these rules; or with the requirement of maintaining an orderly  
election process.  
(6) Challengers are required to follow the directions of the challenger liaison.  
If the challenger objects to the direction, the objection shall be treated as a  
challenge to an election process described in R 168.209. The challenger may  
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contact the clerk responsible for the jurisdiction to appeal directions that the  
challenger believes are prohibited by the act or these rules.  
(7) A challenger liaison may delegate any of their duties under these rules to  
another election inspector serving in the same location.  
History: 2026 MR 9, Eff. May 6, 2026.  
R 168.206 Total number of challengers; challengers at Election Day  
polling places, early voting sites, or absent voter ballot processing facilities.  
Rule 6. (1) The maximum number of challengers that a credentialing  
organization may field at a location is determined as follows:  
(a) If the challengers are serving at an Election Day polling place, the total  
number of challengers allowed to each credentialing organization at a precinct  
must not exceed the total number allowed under section 730(1) of the act, MCL  
168.730.  
(b) If the challengers are serving at an early voting site, the total number of  
challengers allowed to each credentialing organization at a site is the total number  
allowed under section 730(1) of the act, MCL 168.730, as an early voting site is  
subject to the same requirements as an Election Day precinct pursuant to section  
4(1)(m) of article II of the state constitution of 1963.  
(c) If the challengers are serving at a single absent voter counting board, 1  
challenger, as provided in section 730(1) of the act, MCL 168.730.  
(d) If the challengers are serving at an absent voter ballot processing facility  
where more than 1 absent voter counting board is located, 1 challenger for each  
board, as provided in section 730(1) of the act, MCL 168.730.  
(e) During processing and tabulation of absent voter ballots before Election  
Day, the total number of challengers allowed to each credentialing organization at  
the location must not exceed the total number allowed under section 765a(14) of  
the act, MCL 168.765a.  
(f) If the challengers are serving at a local clerk’s office or a satellite location  
maintained by a clerk, each credentialing organization is limited to 1 challenger at  
that office.  
(g) If the challengers are serving at an Election Day vote center, the total  
number of challengers allowed to each credentialing organization at the location  
must not exceed the total number allowed under section 523b(2) of the act, MCL  
168.523b.  
(2) At no point shall more than 1 challenger from any single credentialing  
organization observe the activities of any single team of election inspectors  
processing ballots at an absent voter ballot processing facility.  
(3) Clerks shall make reasonable efforts to accommodate the number of  
challengers equal to the number of credentialing organizations approved to  
credential challengers in the clerk’s jurisdiction multiplied by the maximum number  
of challengers allowed in the location as calculated under subrule (1) of this rule.  
(4) If an Election Day polling place, early voting site, or absent voter ballot  
processing facility cannot accommodate the total number of challengers  
contemplated in subrule (1) of this rule, the maximum number of challengers each  
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credentialing organization is allowed to have present in that location as calculated  
in subrule (1) of this rule is decreased by an equal number for all credentialing  
organizations.  
(5) If the absent voter ballot processing facility cannot accommodate 1  
challenger for each credentialing organization, the clerk’s notice under section  
765a(12) of the act, MCL 168.765a, shall provide notice of the number of  
challengers that can be accommodated, and 1 challenger per organization is  
admitted until that number is met.  
(6) If a challenger leaves a location where the challenger is credentialed to  
serve, the organization that credentialed that challenger is allowed to replace that  
challenger with a new challenger credentialed by that organization so long as the  
replacement process does not disrupt the work of election inspectors or clerk staff  
present at the location. A replacement challenger shall comply with the provisions  
of these rules.  
History: 2026 MR 9, Eff. May 6, 2026.  
R 168.207 Challenger training.  
Rule 7. (1) Each credentialing organization shall provide each challenger  
credentialed by that organization with the manual created by the secretary of state  
governing challengers and poll watchers and other materials designated by the  
secretary of state.  
(2) A credentialing organization is responsible for training each challenger  
credentialed by that organization regarding all of the following:  
(a) Election Day polling place operation, if the challenger is designated to  
serve at an Election Day polling place.  
(b) Early voting site operation, if the challenger is designated to serve at an  
early voting site.  
(c) Absent voter counting board operation, if the challenger is designated to  
serve at an absent voter ballot processing facility.  
(d) Voter registration and the issuance and acceptance of absent voter ballots  
at a clerk’s office, if the challenger is designated to serve at a clerk’s office.  
(3) If the challenger is designated to serve at multiple categories of locations  
described in subrule (2) of this rule, the credentialing organization shall train the  
challenger on operations of all of the categories applicable at the location where  
the challenger is credentialed to serve.  
(4) The challenger training must include, but is not limited to, an explanation  
of the processes and procedures during the category of location where the  
challenger is credentialed and the powers, rights, and duties of election  
challengers.  
(5) Each challenger shall sign or electronically sign a written statement  
certifying that the challenger completed the required training and has a working  
knowledge of the material presented at training. The credentialing organization  
shall retain this statement for 2 years after the last date that the challenger served.  
(6) An individual must not serve as a challenger unless the individual has  
completed challenger training as required under this rule within the last 2 calendar  
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years. If a change in the election law, a change in election regulations, a court  
order, or another event substantially alters or abrogates information contained in  
the training, the secretary of state may require individuals wishing to serve as  
challengers to complete a supplemental training before serving as a challenger,  
even if that individual has completed the required challenger training within the 2  
calendar years before the date the individual serves as a challenger.  
History: 2026 MR 9, Eff. May 6, 2026.  
R 168.208 Challenge to a voter’s eligibility; challenge to an elector’s  
ability to cast a ballot at an Election Day polling place or early voting site  
after receiving an absent voter ballot.  
Rule 8. (1) A challenger may make a challenge to a voter’s eligibility at an  
Election Day polling place or early voting site if the challenger has a good reason  
to believe that the individual is not a registered elector.  
(2) The following are the only permissible reasons that a challenger may  
challenge a voter’s eligibility:  
(a) The individual is not registered to vote.  
(b) The individual is less than 18 years of age on Election Day.  
(c) The individual is not a United States citizen.  
(d) The individual has not resided in the city or township where the individual  
is attempting to vote for 30 or more days before the election.  
(3) The following are impermissible challenges to a voter’s eligibility because  
they are improper reasons for challenge:  
(a) The individual’s race or ethnic background.  
(b) The individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity.  
(c) The individual’s physical or mental disability.  
(d) The individual’s inability to read, write, or speak English.  
(e) The individual’s need for assistance in the voting process.  
(f) The individual’s manner of dress.  
(g) The individual’s support for or opposition to a candidate, political party, or  
ballot question.  
(h) The appearance or the challenger’s impression of any of the preceding  
traits.  
(i) Another characteristic or appearance of a characteristic that is not relevant  
to an individual’s qualification to cast a ballot.  
(4) A permissible challenge to a voter’s eligibility triggers the process laid out  
in section 729 of the act, MCL 168.729.  
(5) A challenge to a voter’s eligibility must be made to the challenger liaison  
or to an election inspector designated by the challenger liaison.  
(6) If a challenge to a voter’s eligibility is properly made under subrule (2) of  
this rule, the challenger liaison or election inspector to whom the challenge is made  
shall ask the challenger to state with specificity which of the voter eligibility criteria  
the challenger believes the individual whose eligibility is challenged does not meet,  
and why the challenger believes the individual whose eligibility is challenged does  
not meet that criteria.  
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(7) A challenge determined to be made for reasons other than the reasons  
allowed under subrule (2) of this rule must be rejected as an impermissible  
challenge.  
(8) Voter eligibility challenges are not permissible at an absent voter ballot  
processing facility.  
History: 2026 MR 9, Eff. May 6, 2026.  
R 168.209 Challenges to an election process.  
Rule 9. (1) A challenger may challenge an election process, including the way  
that election inspectors are operating a polling place or early voting site or  
processing absent voter ballots at an absent voter ballot processing facility. The  
challenge must state the specific element or elements of the process that the  
challenger believes are being improperly performed.  
(2) An explanation for a challenge to an election process must include an  
explanation of the proper performance of the element or elements in question but  
need not take the form of a direct citation to statute or election administration  
materials.  
(3) A challenge to an election process is impermissible and must not be  
recorded by the election inspectors in either or both of the following circumstances:  
(a) If the challenger cannot identify a specific element or multiple elements of  
the process that the challenger believes are improper if performed.  
(b) If the challenger cannot adequately explain why the process is being  
performed in a manner prohibited by state law.  
(4) A permissible challenge to an election process is rejected if the challenger  
liaison determines that the specific element or elements of the election process  
are being carried out in accordance with state law.  
(5) If a challenger wishes to challenge recurring elements of an election  
process under subrule (1) of this rule, the challenger shall make a blanket  
challenge. A blanket challenge is recorded in the same manner as other  
challenges made under subrule (1) of this rule. The challenger shall not challenge  
subsequent repetitions of the process.  
(6) A challenge to an election process must be made to the challenger liaison.  
History: 2026 MR 9, Eff. May 6, 2026.  
R 168.210 Impermissible challenges.  
Rule 10. (1) Impermissible challenges are challenges that are made on  
improper grounds.  
(2) Subject to R 168.209(3), a challenge determined to be impermissible is  
not accepted or rejected but is noted in the pollbook as impermissible if it is  
possible to do so without slowing the voting or absent voter ballot tabulation  
process.  
(3) Repeated impermissible challenges may result in a challenger’s removal  
from the polling place, early voting site, or absent voter ballot processing facility.  
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(4) Impermissible challenges include the following:  
(a) Challenges made to something other than a voter’s eligibility or an election  
process.  
(b) Challenges made with no explanation for the challenge.  
(c) Challenges made alleging lack of photo identification against a voter who  
signs an Affidavit of Voter Not in Possession of Picture ID.  
(d) Challenges made for an improper reason as described in R 168.208(3).  
(5) A challenger shall not make a challenge indiscriminately or without good  
cause. A challenge is made indiscriminately and without good cause if the  
challenger does not know or has a reasonable belief that the challenged individual  
is ineligible or that the election process is being improperly performed.  
(6) A challenger shall not make challenges for the purpose of harassing an  
elector, an election inspector, or another individual, or interfering with election  
processes.  
History: 2026 MR 9, Eff. May 6, 2026.  
R 168.211 Rejected challenges.  
Rule 11. (1) Rejected challenges are challenges that are permissible that the  
challenger liaison does not accept. Whether a challenge is permissible but rejected  
is a context-specific determination that depends on the type of challenge being  
made.  
(2) If a challenge is permissible but rejected, the following information must  
be recorded in the pollbook:  
(a) The challenger’s name.  
(b) The name of the credentialing organization that credentialed the  
challenger.  
(c) The time of the challenge.  
(d) The substance of the challenge.  
(e) The reason why the challenge was rejected.  
History: 2026 MR 9, Eff. May 6, 2026.  
R 168.212 Accepted challenges.  
Rule 12. (1) Accepted challenges are challenges that are permissible and the  
challenger liaison determines are correct.  
(2) If a challenge is accepted, the following information must be recorded in  
the pollbook:  
(a) The challenger’s name.  
(b) The time of the challenge.  
(c) The substance of the challenge.  
(d) The actions taken by the challenger liaison in response to the challenge.  
History: 2026 MR 9, Eff. May 6, 2026.  
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R 168.213 Recording of challenges.  
Rule 13. (1) If a challenger makes a challenge known to a challenger liaison  
without identifying the election process challenged as required by these rules, or  
otherwise fails to provide information required to support a challenge under the act  
or these rules, the challenger liaison shall ask the challenger to state the missing  
information necessary to support the challenge. If the challenger cannot state the  
information supporting the challenge, the challenge does not have a sufficient  
basis and is impermissible.  
(2) A challenger making a challenge determined to have sufficient basis under  
subrule (1) of this rule shall be provided with a challenge recording form prescribed  
by the secretary of state. The challenger shall complete the form and return the  
form to the challenger liaison or election inspector designated by the challenger  
liaison in order for the challenge to be recorded. The challenge recording form  
must include fields specifying the time that the challenge is made, the name of the  
challenger making the challenge, the organization the challenger represents, the  
type of challenge being made, and other information determined necessary or  
appropriate by the secretary of state.  
(3) Permissible challenges to a voter’s eligibility properly made under these  
rules must be recorded in the physical pollbook and, if it is being used at that  
location, in the electronic pollbook. The record included in the pollbook must  
contain a short description of the challenge and the resolution of the challenge.  
(4) If a challenge is properly made but ultimately rejected, the record of the  
challenge in the pollbook must note in the pollbook the reason that the challenge  
was rejected.  
(5) After the close of polls or after ballot processing is completed, challenge  
recording forms must be maintained with the physical pollbook.  
History: 2026 MR 9, Eff. May 6, 2026.  
R 168.214 Rights and duties of challengers.  
Rule 14. (1) When entering an Election Day polling place, early voting site, or  
absent voter ballot processing facility, a challenger shall make the challenger’s  
presence known to the challenger liaison and complete the oath set out in R  
168.215 before making any challenges or enjoying any of the rights accorded to a  
challenger. The challenger’s name, credentialing organization, and time of arrival  
must be recorded in a pollbook. If the challenger is credentialed in more than 1  
precinct or counting board at a location, the challenger liaison may allow the  
challenger to complete the oath only once and be recorded in only one pollbook.  
(2) If the challenger leaves an Election Day polling place, early voting site, or  
absent voter ballot processing facility before the end of tabulation, the challenger  
shall notify the challenger liaison. On notification, the time that the challenger  
leaves must be recorded in the pollbook.  
(3) Properly credentialed challengers who made the challenger’s presence  
known to the challenger liaison and have signed the oath set out in R 168.215  
have the right to the following:  
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(a) Be present in the polling place, early voting site, absent voter ballot  
processing facility, or Election Day vote center.  
(b) Make challenges to the challenger liaison or the challenger liaison’s  
designee as provided in R 168.208 and R 168.209.  
(c) Be treated with respect by election inspectors.  
(d) Be provided with reasonable assistance in performing the duties of a  
challenger.  
(e) Inspect applications to vote, registration lists, and other printed materials  
used to conduct elections that are available at the location, so long as the  
challenger does not touch or handle any of those materials and so long as the  
inspection does not interfere with the voting process.  
(f) Observe election inspectors’ preparation of voting equipment at the polling  
place or early voting site before the opening of the polls during the early voting  
period and on Election Day, and observe election inspectors’ handling of voting  
equipment after the close of polls on Election Day, so long as the challenger does  
not touch or handle any of that equipment and so long as that observation does  
not interfere with the election inspectors in completion of the election inspectors’  
duties.  
(g) Observe the election process from a reasonable distance, so long as  
election inspectors have sufficient room to perform the election inspectors’ duties  
and voters are not impeded in any way.  
(h) If serving in a polling place or early voting site during the early voting  
period or on Election Day, to use electronic devices, so long as the device is not  
disruptive and so long as the device is not used to photograph or make video or  
audio recordings of the polling place or early voting site except for posted election  
results.  
(i) If serving in an absent voter ballot processing facility, to use electronic  
devices, so long as the device is not disruptive and so long as the device is not  
used to photograph or make video or audio recordings except for posted election  
results.  
(j) Observe election-related activities at an early voting site or at a polling  
place on Election Day at any time the early voting site or polling place is open to  
the public, including before the opening of polls or after the closing of polls.  
(k) Take notes about the election process.  
(l) Notify the challenger liaison of perceived violations of election laws by  
third-parties, including electioneering within 100 feet of an entrance to the building  
where a polling place or early voting site is located, improper handling of a ballot  
by a voter, or other issues.  
(m) Remain in the Election Day polling place, early voting site, or absent voter  
ballot processing facility after the close of polls or the end of tabulation and until  
the election inspectors complete the election inspectors’ duties.  
(n) If serving in an early voting site or polling place where ballots are being  
issued, stand behind the processing table and intermittently move close enough to  
view the pollbook as ballots are issued to voters and the voters’ names are entered  
into the pollbook, so long as the challenger does not touch or handle the pollbook  
or otherwise interfere with the work of the election inspectors.  
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(o) If serving at an absent voter ballot processing facility, stand in a location  
where the tabulation of absent voter ballots can be observed, or stand in a location  
where the challenger can intermittently move close enough to view the entry of the  
names of voters whose ballots are being processed into the pollbook, so long as  
the challenger does not touch or handle any election-related materials.  
(4) Challengers shall not:  
(a) Speak with or interact in any way with voters.  
(b) Threaten or intimidate voters, other challengers, or election inspectors, or  
attempt to threaten or intimidate voters, other challengers, or election inspectors  
at any stage of the voting process.  
(c) Continuously stand in close proximity to election inspectors in a way a  
reasonable individual could find intimidating.  
(d) Speak with or interact with election inspectors who are not the challenger  
liaison or the challenger liaison’s designee, unless given explicit permission by the  
challenger liaison or a member of the clerk’s staff.  
(e) Make repeated impermissible challenges.  
(f) Make a challenge indiscriminately or without good cause, or for the  
purpose of harassing, delaying, or annoying voters, election inspectors, or another  
individual.  
(g) Physically touch or interact with ballots, absent voter ballot envelopes,  
electronic pollbooks, physical pollbooks, or other election materials.  
(h) Stand so close to the pollbook or other materials that the challenger’s  
proximity to those materials interferes with the election inspectors’ ability to  
perform the election inspectors’ duties.  
(i) Use a device to photograph or make video or audio recordings in a polling  
place, early voting site, clerk’s office, or at an absent voter ballot processing facility,  
other than the recording of election results.  
(j) Provide or offer to provide assistance to voters.  
(k) Wear any clothing or other apparel relating to any party, candidate, or  
proposition on the ballot or that disrupts the peace or order of the early voting site  
or polling place, unless the challenger is serving at an absent voter ballot  
processing facility and is given permission or instructed to wear an identifier by an  
election official.  
(l) Wear clothing or other apparel expressly advocating for or against the  
election of a candidate or advocating the passage or defeat of a ballot measure.  
(m) Set up a table or other furniture in the early voting site or polling place.  
(n) Take any actions to disrupt or interfere with voting, ballot tabulation, or  
other election processes.  
(5) A challenger may request and be provided with a chair to use when  
conducting challenger activities, so long as the provision of the chair does not  
interfere with the orderly conduct of elections. The placement of the chair is at the  
discretion of the challenger liaison or clerk.  
History: 2026 MR 9, Eff. May 6, 2026.  
R 168.215 Challenger oath.  
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Rule 15. (1) After making the challenger’s presence known to the challenger  
liaison, a challenger who is not completing the oath in section 765a of the act, MCL  
168.765a, shall complete the following oath:  
"I (name of individual taking oath) do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I have  
reviewed the written materials designated by the Secretary of State for my training  
and will comply with the provisions in those materials. I will follow the directions of  
the election inspectors operating the (description of applicable location). Further, I  
shall not photograph, or audio or video record, within the (description of applicable  
location), except for posted election results."  
(2) The oaths administered under subrule (1) of this rule must be placed in an  
envelope provided for this purpose and sealed with the red state seal. Following  
the election, the oaths must be delivered to the city or township clerk.  
History: 2026 MR 9, Eff. May 6, 2026.  
R 168.216 Challenger conduct; challenger liaison management of  
election locations.  
Rule 16. (1) If a challenger is serving at a location with multiple precincts or  
absent voter counting boards, and if the credentialing organization whom the  
challenger represents has fewer challengers present than the number of precincts  
or absent voter counting boards in the location, the credentialing organization may  
designate a challenger to serve at multiple precincts or absent voter counting  
boards within the location, subject to reasonable limits by the clerk.  
(2) Challengers enjoy the rights enumerated in R 168.214(3) only at the  
Election Day polling places, early voting sites, or absent voter ballot processing  
facilities where the challengers are designated to serve.  
History: 2026 MR 9, Eff. May 6, 2026.  
R 168.217 Prohibited challenger conduct; ejection of challengers.  
Rule 17. (1) The right of a challenger to be present is conditional on the  
challenger’s compliance with election inspectors’ lawful commands under section  
678 of the act, MCL 168.678. Any failure to comply with the lawful command of an  
election inspector may result in expulsion from the Election Day polling place, early  
voting site, absent voter ballot processing facility, Election Day vote center, or  
clerk’s office.  
(2) If a challenger liaison has a reasonable belief that a challenger is making  
challenges that do not comply with the requirements of R 168.208 or R 168.209,  
that the challenger is making impermissible challenges as described in R 168.210,  
or that the challenger is violating any of the prohibitions in R 168.214(4), the  
challenger liaison shall warn the challenger of the challenger’s noncompliant  
challenges or impermissible behavior.  
(3) If a challenger liaison has a reasonable belief that a challenger who was  
warned under subrule (2) of this rule is continuing to make challenges that do not  
comply with the requirements of R 168.208 or R 168.209, that the challenger is  
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making impermissible challenges as described in R 168.210, or that the challenger  
is violating any of the prohibitions in R 168.214(4), the challenger liaison may eject  
the challenger from the Election Day polling place, early voting site, absent voter  
ballot processing facility, Election Day vote center, or clerk’s office.  
(4) If a challenger photographs, or audio or video records, within an Election  
Day polling place, early voting site, or absent voter ballot processing facility other  
than as allowed by the act, the election inspector shall eject the individual from the  
location.  
(5) Any warning or ejection, and the reason for that warning or ejection, must  
be recorded in the physical pollbook and, if it is being used at that location, in the  
electronic pollbook.  
(6) A challenger who is ejected may appeal that ejection by contacting the  
clerk of the jurisdiction where the challenger is serving, after the challenger has  
left the polling place, early voting site, or absent voter ballot processing facility.  
History: 2026 MR 9, Eff. May 6, 2026.  
R 168.218 Challengers serving in clerk offices.  
Rule 18. (1) Challengers may be present at a clerk’s office only if the clerk’s  
office is open for business and during the period before an election when voters  
may request or return an absent voter ballot at the office.  
(2) A challenger serving at a clerk’s office shall make the challenger’s  
presence known to the clerk as provided in R 168.214(1).  
(3) A challenger serving at a clerk’s office may be present only in areas of the  
clerk’s office where an absent voter ballot may be requested. Nothing in these rules  
allows a challenger to be present in areas of the clerk’s office reserved for the clerk  
or employees of the clerk.  
(4) A challenger present at a clerk’s office shall not view the qualified voter  
file.  
(5) A challenger serving at a clerk’s office shall follow directions given to the  
challenger by election staff.  
(6) A challenger serving at a clerk’s office shall not observe the selections a  
voter makes on the voter’s absent voter ballot if that voter chooses to complete the  
absent voter ballot in the clerk’s office.  
(7) A challenger serving at a clerk’s office is bound by the same duties as a  
challenger serving at an Election Day polling place, early voting site, or absent  
voter ballot processing facility.  
(8) If a challenger photographs, or audio or video records at a clerk’s office  
other than as allowed by the act, the election inspector shall eject the individual  
from the location.  
History: 2026 MR 9, Eff. May 6, 2026.  
R 168.219 Poll watcher.  
Rule 19. (1) Poll watchers have the right to do the following:  
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(a) Be present at an Election Day polling place, early voting site, or absent  
voter ballot processing facility, if there is sufficient space.  
(b) Observe the electoral process from a public viewing area designated by  
the clerk, which must be placed in a location that does not interfere in any way with  
the work of election inspectors present in the location, or with participation in the  
voting process if voters are present. If the public viewing area for a particular  
election location is full and cannot accommodate more poll watchers, and if the  
public viewing area cannot be enlarged without disrupting election processes, the  
clerk or challenger liaison must deny entry to additional poll watchers.  
(c) Request to view the pollbook without handling it, but the challenger liaison  
may decline that request. A poll watcher shall never handle the pollbook or other  
election equipment or materials.  
(2) Poll watchers are subject to all of the same restrictions as credentialed  
challengers, including the prohibitions against speaking with voters and against  
speaking with election inspectors other than the challenger liaison without the  
challenger liaison’s permission.  
(3) In addition to the restrictions in subrule (2) of this rule, poll watchers shall  
not do the following:  
(a) Issue challenges.  
(b) Sit or stand behind the processing table at an Election Day polling place  
or early voting site.  
(c) Be present in any part of the polling place, early voting site, clerk’s office,  
or absent voter ballot processing facility, except the designated public viewing  
area.  
(4) If an election inspector has a reasonable belief that a poll watcher is in  
violation of subrule (2) or (3) of this rule, the election inspector shall warn the  
individual of the poll watcher’s nonallowed behavior.  
(5) If an election inspector reasonably believes that a poll watcher who was  
warned under subrule (4) of this rule is continuing to violate this rule, the election  
inspector must eject that poll watcher from the Election Day polling place, early  
voting site, or absent voter ballot processing facility. If the poll watcher refuses to  
leave after being informed of the ejection by an election inspector, the election  
inspector may request law enforcement remove the poll watcher from the polling  
place, early voting site, or absent voter ballot processing facility.  
(6) If a poll watcher photographs, or audio or video records, within an Election  
Day polling place, early voting site, or absent voter ballot processing facility, the  
election inspector shall expel the individual from the location.  
History: 2026 MR 9, Eff. May 6, 2026.  
R 168.220 Challenger appeal of challenger liaison or election inspector  
determinations.  
Rule 20. (1) A challenger may appeal to the city or township clerk of the  
jurisdiction where the challenger is serving a decision by the challenger liaison or  
other election inspectors relating to any of the following:  
(a) The validity of a challenge.  
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(b) A challenger’s conduct.  
(c) A challenger’s ejection.  
(2) The following apply to a challenger appeal:  
(a) The appeal must be made outside the hearing of voters.  
(b) If the challenger is appealing the ejection, the appeal must be made after  
the challenger has left the polling place, early voting site, or absent voter ballot  
processing facility. If the city or township clerk rejects the challenger’s ejection as  
improper, the clerk shall inform the challenger liaison and the challenger shall be  
allowed to reenter the polling place, early voting site, or absent voter ballot  
processing facility.  
(c) At the request of a challenger, the challenger liaison shall provide the  
contact information of the city or township clerk.  
(3) The challenger may appeal the decision of the local clerk to the bureau of  
elections.  
(4) A challenger shall not appeal to the city or township clerk an election  
inspector’s resolution of a challenge to a voter’s eligibility to vote. Appeals of an  
election inspector’s resolution of an eligibility challenge can only be adjudicated  
through the judicial process after Election Day.  
History: 2026 MR 9, Eff. May 6, 2026.  
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