Elections
There are only eight states in the nation that administer elections at the local level. Michigan’s election system, involving 83 county clerks, 277 city clerks, 1,242 township clerks, and 93 village clerks, is administered by 1,699 county and local election officials makes it the most decentralized elections system in the nation. Election processes at the local government level are determined through an intersecting of the city or village charter (or general law village act ) and state election law.
This section is designed to provide a thumbnail sketch of the election process. The experts in the field are at the Secretary of State, in the Michigan Bureau of Elections (517-373-2540).
State statutes
Secretary of State Guidelines
- Structure of Michigan’s Elections System
- Candidate Filings and Financial Disclosure Requirements Recall
- Citizens Redistricting Commission (information on 2018 ballot proposal)
- Absentee Voting (information on 2018 ballot proposal)
League Publications
- Headlee Roll Back and Headlee Override – updated 2024
Sample Ballot Proposals and Supplemental Information
- Bay City, Street Construction Repair Ballot Proposal (HRC) – Pop. 34,932
- Charlotte, Headlee Override Ballot Proposal (HRC) – Pop. 9,074
- Lansing, Millage Increase Ballot Proposal (HRC) – Pop. 114,297
- Norton Shores, Street Millage Ballot Proposal Explanation to Citizens (HRC) – Pop. 23,994
- Romulus, Millage Proposal at a Glance (HRC) – Pop. 23,989
- Millage Proposal Frequently Asked Questions
- Wyoming, Public Safety Millage Ballot Proposal (HRC) – Pop. 72,125