I just got an email from the person coordinating poll challengers for our area with the following warning:
On November 1, 2006, the Secretary of State sent an Issue No. 40 of Election News to all clerks. I encourage you to download it. www.Michigan.gov/sos. Go to Elections in Michigan, Information for Election Administrators, and scroll down the middle column to get this Election News Issue No. 40. ...
At page 3 the publication states that challengers and poll watchers "do not have the authority to approach voters or talk to voters for any reason." This is not an accurate statement of the law. Challengers are only prohibited from making a direct challenge to a voter's right to vote. This statement may limit the ability of Republican challengers to intimidate or interfere with voters. It may also limit our ability to help voters.