The Township Clerk job is an important political position that does require being elected. If you have been thinking about being involved with elections and local politics, this is an exciting opportunity for your career.
In Michigan, a Township Clerk is a statutory officer with three primary roles:
- election administration
- financial operations
- official record-keeping
The clerk is responsible for managing voter registration and all local elections, handling the township’s financial records, and serving as the custodian of all official documents like ordinances and meeting minutes. The Clerk is also a voting member of the Township Board of Trustees and serves as the secretary for that board.
Election administration
- Administering federal, state, and local elections, including managing voter registration and absentee voting
- Receiving nominating petitions and other election-related documents
- Conducting accuracy tests for elections and managing recounts
- Posting and publishing all required election notices
Financial operations
- Maintaining the general ledger and preparing detailed accounting records
- Processing accounts payable and payroll
- Preparing financial statements and warrants for township checks
Record-keeping
- Serving as the official custodian of all township records, books, and papers
- Recording and maintaining meeting minutes for the Township Board of Trustees
- Keeping the township’s ordinance books
- Filing and retaining certificates of oaths
- Processing Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests
Other duties
- Serving as a voting member of the Township Board of Trustees
- Chairing the Board of Election Commissioners and acting as Secretary to the Board of Ethics
- Publishing and posting notices for all board and commission meetings
- Issuing licenses and providing notary services
- Appointing a deputy clerk to assist with duties, who can act on the clerk’s behalf in their absence.
If you think being a township clerk is the right occupation for you, the local Jackson County Democratic Committee has resources to help your campaign. Send us an email at chair@jacksoncountydems.org.