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, if the township is under 40,000 in population and that option is specifically available in your township, you may request a leave of absence from your employment with the township. (MCL 15.403)
The option to request a leave of absence (if that option is provided by the township) is available only to a person who holds an employment position with a township of under 40,000 in population, because the option to hold (even as a leave of absence) or to be assigned an employment position with the township is limited to townships under 40,000. In a township of 40,000 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.
Under Section 3 of the Incompatible Offices Act, MCL 15.183, the board in a township under 40,000 in population may then vote to authorize you to perform, with or without compensation, additional services for the township that would otherwise be incompatible, or to serve in an emergency medical services position, or as a firefighter, police chief, fire chief, police officer, or public safety officer in that city, village, township, or county if you are not a person who negotiates a collective bargaining agreement with the city, village, township, or county on behalf of the firefighters, police chiefs, fire chiefs, police officers, or public safety officers.
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.