Hillsdale Upholds 3-Year Residency Rule for Candidates

City Council affirms requirement for local elected officials to live in Hillsdale for at least 3 years.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 4:55pm

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A dimly lit, cinematic painting of an empty city council chamber, with warm sunlight streaming through the windows and deep shadows cast across the room, conveying a sense of quiet civic duty and political process.Hillsdale's city government upholds a 3-year residency rule for local elected officials, maintaining standards for community representation.Hillsdale Today

Hillsdale City Council has received a legal opinion confirming that the city's 3-year residency requirement for individuals seeking elective office is enforceable under current state law. The rule was questioned by Councilmember Matt Bentley, but the city attorney has now provided an opinion upholding the residency mandate.

Why it matters

Residency requirements for local elected officials are a common but sometimes controversial policy, as they aim to ensure candidates have deep ties to the community they seek to represent. Hillsdale's rule has now been validated, maintaining the city's standards for political candidates.

The details

Hillsdale's 3-year residency requirement for individuals seeking elective office was questioned by Councilmember Matt Bentley in March. However, the city attorney has now provided a legal opinion affirming that the rule is enforceable under current Michigan state law.

  • Hillsdale City Council received the legal opinion in April 2026.
  • The residency requirement was questioned by Councilmember Bentley in March 2026.

The players

Hillsdale City Council

The governing body of the city of Hillsdale, Michigan.

Matt Bentley

A Hillsdale City Councilmember who questioned the city's 3-year residency requirement for candidates.

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The takeaway

Hillsdale's 3-year residency rule for political candidates remains in place, upholding the city's standards for elected officials to have deep community ties. This decision reinforces the ongoing debate around balancing residency requirements with democratic representation.