§ 168.642Regular election or regular primary election held by city or village

Sec. 642.
    (1) Except as otherwise provided in this section and section 642a, beginning on September
 1, 2004, a city shall hold its regular election or regular primary election as follows:
    (a) A city shall hold its regular election for a city office at the odd year general election.
    (b) A city shall hold its regular election primary at the odd year primary election.
    (c) A city that holds its regular election for a city office annually or in the even year on the
 November regular election date shall continue holding elections on that schedule.
    (d) A city that holds its regular election primary for a city office annually or in the even year
 on the August regular primary election date shall continue holding primary elections on that
 schedule.
    (2) If, on September 1, 2004, a city holds its regular election at other than a regular
 November election date, the city council may choose to hold the regular election on the May
 regular election date by adopting a resolution in compliance with this section. Except as
 provided in section 642a, if a city council adopts the resolution in compliance with this section
 to hold its regular election on the May regular election date, after December 31, 2004, the
 city's regular election is on the May regular election date. If a city's regular election is held on
 the May regular election date, the city shall not hold a regular primary election.
    (3) If, on September 1, 2004, a city holds its regular election annually or in the even year on
 the November regular election date, the city council may choose to hold the regular election at
 the odd year general election by adopting a resolution in compliance with this section. Except
 as provided in section 642a, if a city council adopts the resolution in compliance with this
 section to hold its regular election at the odd year general election, after December 31, 2004,
 the city's regular election is at the odd year election. If a city's regular election is held at the


                                                                       Michigan Compiled Laws Complete Through PA 9 of 2026
Rendered Thursday, April 30, 2026                Page 268 of 478                               Courtesy of legislature.mi.gov

 odd year general election, the city's regular election primary shall be held at the odd year
 primary election.
    (4) If, on September 1, 2004, a city holds its regular election annually on the November
 regular election date, the city council may choose to hold the regular election at the even year
 general election by adopting a resolution in compliance with this section. Except as provided
 in section 642a, if a city council adopts the resolution in compliance with this section to hold
 its regular election at the even year general election, after December 31, 2004, the city's
 regular election is at the even year election. If a city's regular election is held at the even year
 general election, the city's regular election primary shall be held at the even year primary
 election.
    (5) A village shall hold its regular election as follows:
    (a) A village shall hold its regular election for a village office at the general election and the
 appropriate township clerk shall conduct the election.
    (b) A village shall not hold a regular primary election.
    (6) If a village's special election is held in conjunction with another election conducted by a
 township, the village shall pay the township a proportionate share of the election expenses. If a
 village's special election is not held in conjunction with another election conducted by a
 township, the village shall pay the township 100% of the actual costs of conducting the
 village's special election.
    (7) A resolution permitted under this section or section 642a is valid only if a city council
 adopts the resolution in compliance with all of the following:
    (a) The resolution is adopted before 1 of the following:
    (i) If the resolution is permitted under subsection (2), (3), or (4), January 1, 2005.
    (ii) If the resolution is permitted under section 642a(1), (2), or (4), January 1 of the year in
 which the change in the date of the election takes effect.
    (b) Before adopting the resolution, the council holds at least 1 public hearing on the
 resolution. The public hearing may be held on the same day and immediately before
 considering the adoption of the resolution.
    (c) The council gives notice of each public hearing on the resolution in a manner designed
 to reach the largest number of the jurisdiction's qualified electors in a timely fashion.
    (d) The council votes on the resolution and, on a record roll call vote, a majority of the
 council's board members, elected or appointed, and serving, adopt the resolution.
    (e) The council files the resolution with the secretary of state.