Michigan Officials Struggle to Find Residents Willing to Serve in Local Government

Survey shows 77% of local leaders agree not enough residents are willing to run for elected office or serve on appointed boards.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 10:03am

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A solitary, two-story community building stands alone in a quiet town, its windows casting long shadows across the pavement in the warm afternoon light. The scene has a contemplative, nostalgic mood, capturing the difficulty rural areas face in recruiting local leaders.The dimly lit, vacant halls of a small-town community center reflect the growing challenge of finding residents willing to serve in local government.Bellevue Today

Michigan officials are facing a growing challenge in finding residents willing to run for local elected offices or serve on appointed boards and commissions. A recent survey by the University of Michigan's Center for Local, State, and Urban Policy found that 77% of local leaders agree not enough residents are willing to run for elected office, and 75% said candidacies are often uncontested. The problem is particularly acute in small and rural communities, where officials are struggling to fill key positions like township clerk.

Why it matters

Unfilled local government positions and uncontested elections can undermine the democratic process and make it harder for communities to address important issues. Experts say the problem is exacerbated by factors like an aging population, difficulty attracting new residents, and a rise in harassment of public officials.

The details

In Fayette Township, Hillsdale County, the township clerk position has been vacant since earlier this year, with no one applying to fill the role. Hillsdale County Clerk Abe Dane said the county's political parties didn't submit candidates for a special election, and the deadline for nonpartisan candidates to file is May 5. 'Nobody's applied,' Dane said, adding that a clerk from a neighboring jurisdiction is contracted to run the township's upcoming elections.

  • The Michigan Public Policy Survey was conducted from April 7 to June 12, 2025, with results released in April 2026.
  • The Fayette Township clerk position has been vacant since earlier this year.

The players

Abe Dane

The Hillsdale County Clerk, who is overseeing the vacant Fayette Township clerk position.

Debra Horner

The senior program manager for the Michigan Public Policy Survey, which found widespread challenges in recruiting local officials.

Lisa Lawitzke

The clerk of Bellevue Township in Eaton County and president of the Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks.

Eric Lupher

The president of the Citizens Research Council of Michigan, who discussed strategies for recruiting more local officials.

Michael Siegrist

The Canton Township Clerk and first vice president of the Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks, who advocates for mentorship and leadership programs to develop the next generation of local leaders.

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What they’re saying

“This is a problem for almost every community, but it's particularly a challenge for Michigan's small and rural jurisdictions. Every local government has governing boards and volunteer commissions where important community business must be tackled, but in many communities, the small pool of residents they have to recruit from means they're often relying on the same people over and over again, or seats just go unfilled.”

— Debra Horner, Senior Program Manager, Michigan Public Policy Survey

“None of us got into it for the money.”

— Lisa Lawitzke, Clerk of Bellevue Township, Eaton County, and President of the Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks

“A current elected official who engages their community ... they are creating the next generation of leaders. A good leader 'brings people up'.”

— Michael Siegrist, Canton Township Clerk and First Vice President of the Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks

What’s next

The judge in the Fayette Township case will decide on May 5 whether to allow the township to contract with a neighboring clerk to oversee the upcoming elections.

The takeaway

The difficulty in finding residents willing to serve in local government roles, especially in small and rural communities, highlights the need for more proactive recruitment efforts, mentorship programs, and strategies to make these positions more appealing to a wider pool of potential candidates. Addressing this challenge is crucial for maintaining strong, representative local governance across Michigan.