Oath of Office Legislation Signed Into Law
By: Dave Hodgkins,
June 23, 2026
Following overwhelming bipartisan support, Governor Whitmer signed the long-awaited Oath of Office legislation. HBs 4358–4359 and SBs 240 and 241 are now Public Acts 17-20.
Together, the package addresses a conflict between state law and some municipal charters because of Proposal 2 implementation. Clerks must account for ballots that come in six days following an election and as a result, municipalities with language in their charters requiring newly elected local officials to be seated the week following an election would be doing so prior to actual certification.
Public Acts 17-20 are intended to create a more uniform term start date and ensure that elected officials are not sworn in until voting results are certified. Specifically, term start states are to commence no earlier than 12 PM on the first day of the month following an election.
The legislation has no impact on municipalities that already seat their officials on or after this date. No municipal charter amendments are required.
Dave Hodgkins is a legislative associate with the League. He may be reached at [email protected]