Several states have tightened restrictions and safeguards against firearms at polling places to protect voters, ensure election safety, and prevent voter intimidation.
In recent years, 22 states and Washington have restricted firearms in polling places, with varying laws in each state. In 15 states, both open and concealed are generally prohibited at voting sites.
States with wider restrictions include New York, New Jersey, California, Colorado, and Massachusetts.
Michigan passed a bill restricting guns within 100 feet of polling venues, compared to only prohibiting firearms from locations that already prohibit the act, such as schools and places of worship.
Massachusetts recently extended the ban to cover concealed carry near designated polling places within 150 feet.
Similarly, Colorado states the Vote Without Fear Act “prohibits a person from openly carrying a firearm within any polling location or central count facility, or within 100 feet of a ballot drop box or any building in which a polling location or central count facility is located, while an election or any related ongoing election administration activity is in progress.”
Opinions on banning guns at polling stations come from both those in support of it and those who are against bans. Supporters say bans on firearms help ensure a safe voting environment, free from any intimidation. Opponents say prohibitions infringe on the Second Amendment rights.
In May, the Vermont Legislature passed a law prohibiting the possession of firearms at polling stations.
New Mexico law restricts firearms within 100 feet of all voting locations, while Delaware recently enacted its own prohibitions regarding polling sites.
For the states without explicit laws, local jurisdictions typically adopt policies restricting firearms at or around voting locations.
Other ways states are increasing efforts against voter intimidation include the creation of the Election Threats Task Force, which Attorney General Merrick Garland announced last month.
The Justice Department’s Election Threats Task Force comes after four cases threatening election personnel or other victims, leading to two people being charged with threatening to harm or kill election workers.
The department also announced plans to monitor the compliance with federal voting rights laws through out 86 jurisdictions across 27 states for Tuesday’s election.
Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd has advised the department that state law doesn’t explicitly permit federal election monitors to be inside polling locations.
