Toilet display mocking mail-in voting in Michigan yard is a crime, official says

MASON, Mich. — A Michigan neighbor’s joke could land them in hot water.

A resident placed a toilet in their yard with a sign: “Place mail in ballots here” with a hand drawn arrow pointing to the john, the Lansing State Journal reported.

“It is a felony to take illegal possession of an absentee ballot,” said Barb Byrum, a Democratic clerk of Ingham County, who filed a complaint about the display. “Elections in this country are to be taken seriously and there are many people who are voting by mail for the first time this election.”

Police said they are investigating. Under Michigan law, taking possession of a ballot illegally is a felony.

The resident has not been identified. The lawn also has signs calling for the recall of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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