MCL 41.69: The township clerk shall appoint a deputy, who shall serve at the pleasure of the clerk.

The deputy shall take an oath of office and file the oath with the clerk.

In case of the absence, sickness, death, or other disability of the clerk, the deputy shall possess the powers and perform the duties of the clerk, except the deputy shall not have a vote on the township board.

The deputy shall be paid by salary or otherwise as the township board determines.

With the approval of the township clerk, the deputy may assist the township clerk in the performance of the township clerk's duties at any additional times agreed upon between the board and the clerk, except the deputy shall not have a vote on the township board.

Charter Township
MCL 42.5: The township clerk shall be clerk of the township board and shall keep a full record of all the proceedings of the township board. In the absence of the clerk, the board shall appoint 1 of its members as temporary clerk for that meeting. (Charter township deputy clerk does not serve as clerk for meetings.)