Okay, okay, seriously…

The bills she signed make it a crime to intimidate election workers, requiring disclaimers in political advertisements that include content generated using artificial intelligence and enabling 16-year-olds to preregister to vote.

A pair of bills signed by Whitmer make it a crime to intimidate election officials and workers, making an initial offense a misdemeanor punishable by up to 93 days of imprisonment, a fine of up to $500 or both. A third or subsequent offense would constitute a felony with a maximum penalty of five years' imprisonment. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan recalled at the signing ceremony the chaos Detroit election workers endured at the convention center where they processed absentee ballots amid a swarm of election challengers demanding they stop the count in 2020. Duggan applauded the new legislation included in the package of election bills approved by Whitmer.

Another series of bills Whitmer signed makes Michigan the fifth state in the U.S. to regulate the use of artificial intelligence in elections, according to Benson. The bills require the disclosure in political advertisements of such technology and lay out punishments for any violations. They also make it a crime to knowingly distribute with the intent of harming a candidate's electoral prospects and swaying voters "materially deceptive media" produced with artificial intelligence without any disclaimer leading up to an election. A first violation is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days' imprisonment, a $500 fine or both. A second violation within five years is a felony punishable by up to five years' imprisonment, a fine of $1,000 or both.

Previously on /c/michigan@midwest.social…

• Whitmer signs package to push Michigan to 100% clean energy by 2040
• Whitmer signs pared-down Reproductive Health Act into law

Get the Governor another pen, for Pete's sakes! ✍