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MI Supreme Court will decide whether election robo calls can be threats

Donovan Graen/Flickr

Two conservative political activists are challenging criminal charges that they used intimidating tactics to deter or discourage Detroit voters from using mail-in ballots in the 2020 election.

The robo-calls falsely warned voters that using absentee ballots could be used for debt collection, forced vaccinations or to execute arrest warrants.

The defendants say the criminal charges violate their free speech rights. The challenge also says they can’t be charged with intimidation because there were no threats of physical harm.

The Michigan Court of Appeals ruled in June the cases against the two men can go forward. The state Supreme Court is expected to hear the arguments sometime next year.