Michigan to Face Vacancies in 478 Local Races

Nearly one-in-ten local offices will have no candidates on the November 3 ballot as Michigan struggles to fill positions.

Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in City Hall

Isometric editorial illustration showing a generic brick municipal building facade with an empty stone pedestal, symbolizing local government vacancies. — Michigan election officials report 478 local government races will appear without candidates on the November 3 ballot, requiring post-election municipal appointments. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Does the difficulty in filling local government roles make you less confident in your community's stability?

Ahead of the November 3, 2026, election, 478 local elected races across Michigan are set to appear on ballots without sufficient candidates. This trend threatens to leave nearly one-in-ten local government offices vacant following the vote.

Why it matters

A decline in interest for part-time, low-paid public service roles, coupled with increased political animosity, has made filling local government positions difficult. State law mandates that municipalities must appoint individuals to these empty seats after the election concludes.

Official election filings show 478 races lack candidates out of 5,400 local positions on the November 3 ballot. Unresolved vacancies include at least 145 school board, 151 village board, and 29 library board posts.

The players

Tish Mallory

She serves as the supervisor for Seville Township and oversees local recruitment efforts.

The details

Seventy-five percent of Michigan townships and villages report difficulty recruiting candidates for local offices before filing deadlines. The state has at least 14,500 total elected local government positions, many of which now face appointment processes if no candidates appear on the ballot.

November 3, 2026, is the date of the upcoming local election.
2028 is when Seville Township will again seek a clerk candidate.

Political Context

This vacancy crisis mirrors findings from a 2024 study that identified 10,000 open local government seats nationwide. Critics argue that current state funding for civic participation efforts remains insufficient to address these structural recruitment barriers.

Residents may find themselves in municipalities where board members are appointed by committees rather than elected by the public. These appointments may affect local budget priorities and public service management in their townships or villages.

The takeaway

Voters should check their specific local ballots to see if contested races exist in their district. If no candidates appear, citizens can inquire with their municipal clerk about the process for expressing interest in appointment to a vacant seat.