Detroit City Wire

The Michigan Senate has approved legislation led by Senator Ruth Johnson to ensure that local officials in townships, villages, and cities only assume office after their election results have been certified. The bill is part of a four-bill package aimed at reinforcing the integrity of elections.

“These commonsense bills will ensure that local officials do not take office until after the results of their election have been reviewed and certified,” said Johnson, R-Holly. “This is ultimately about election integrity and giving election officials the time needed to ensure that results are fair and accurate.”

Senate Bill 243, sponsored by Johnson, mandates that terms for city officers elected post-December 31, 2024, begin no earlier than noon on the first day of the month following their election. This change would mean a start date of no earlier than December 1 for those elected in a November general election. Currently, some local officials can take office as early as November 20 after an election.

“This new later start date will also give an opportunity for recounts to be completed prior to an official taking office when they are necessary,” Johnson said. “It is better to have this later start date than to potentially already have officials sworn in before the results of an election are final.”