May Township Employees Run for Township Office?

Q. I am a township employee. Can I run for a township board position?

Yes, as long as you are eligible to hold office in the township, you may run for a township board position. Note that the Michigan Political Activities by Public Employees Act, Public Act 169 of 1976 (MCL 15.401, et seq.), governs how township employees may be involved in political activities.

Unless contrary to a collective bargaining agreement, the township board may require a candidate for township office to take a leave of absence without pay when the candidate files or 60 days before the election, whichever is closer to the election. (MCL 15.403)

Once the election is certified and before you take the oath of office, however, you must either resign (a letter of resignation is recommended) or request a leave of absence (if that option is available in your township) from your employment with the township.

The option to request a leave of absence (if that option is provided by the township) is available only to: 1) a person who is works in an emergency medical services position or as 2) a firefighter, who is not the fire chief (unless the township has a population of less than 3,000; PA 196 of 2011), a full-time firefighter, or one who negotiates with the township on behalf of the firefighters.

If you hold any other employment position with a township of under 25,000 in population, you do not have the option to request a leave of absence.

The board may then vote to authorize you to serve in an emergency medical services position or as a firefighter (who is not the fire chief (unless the township has a population of less than 3,000; PA 196 of 2011), a full-time firefighter, or one who negotiates with the township on behalf of the firefighters) or to perform the additional duty of your original job description or other job.

But the key word is “may.” The board is under no obligation to give you additional duties. Especially with the start of a new term, the composition of the township board may change, and some boards do not believe it is appropriate for board members to also work for the township.

On a personal note, consider the fact that township board office is an elective office and a position of public trust and service—as one township clerk has remarked, after all, it’s on the same ballot as the president of the United States! Being a local legislator is a significant undertaking, so take a moment to evaluate whether you can adequately represent your community as a whole while also working for the township.

Also note that, in a township of 25,000 or more in population, a township board member cannot serve in any employment position, including the position of emergency medical services personnel, firefighter (of any sort), or as an additional duty.