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Officials in Michigan and Minnesota -- two U.S. states that will play a key role in November's presidential election -- on Tuesday sounded the alarm about the potential for armed civilians at polling places sparking violence or intimidating voters.

Michigan's top election official said state police will enforce a ban issued on Friday forbidding the open carry of guns within 100 feet of voting centers.

But some Republicans and local law enforcement representatives have said it may not be enforceable.

In Minnesota, civil rights groups sued to block efforts by a private security company to deploy armed polling monitors, blasting the effort AS voter intimidation.

Others have speculated that an attempt to block people from carrying guns to the polls will spur protests by gun rights activists outside of voting centers.

President Donald Trump, who trails in most national polls behind his rival Joe Biden, has cast doubt on the election result, calling it "rigged" and warning supporters to watch for fraud.