​These folks are the top decision makers in the country.

The President is the commander in chief and their duties can include:

• Overseeing the military.
• Signing bills into law.
• Issuing executive orders.
• Pardon people convicted of federal crimes.
• Appointing justices to the U.S. Supreme Court, the highest court in our country.

Term: 4 years, no more than two terms.

United States Senators write and vote on federal policies, and decide what programs get funded, and how much they are funded, at the federal level each year.

United States Senators will make decisions about:

• SNAP benefits.
• Health care and maternal health.
• Funding for public schools and teachers.
• Affordable childcare.
• Student debt.

Term: 6 years, no limit on how many terms.

United States Representatives write and vote on federal policies, and decide what programs get funded, and how much they are funded, at the federal level each year.

United States Representatives will make decisions about:

• SNAP benefits.
• Health care and maternal health.
• Funding for public schools and teachers.
• Affordable childcare.
• Student debt.

Term: 2 years, no limit on how many terms.

State Representatives write and vote on state policies, and decide what programs get funded, and how much they are funded, at the state level each year.

State Representatives make decisions about things like:

• Paid leave.
• Workforce development.
• Free school lunches.
• Child care stipends.

Term: 2 years, limited to 12 years total service, but that can be in the MI Senate (which has four-year terms), in the MI House, or a combination of the two.

Michigan Supreme Court Justices sit on the highest court in Michigan. They make decisions about:

• Paid leave.
• Minimum wage.
• Reproductive rights.
• The ability of police to stop and detain suspects.

Note: Candidates are appointed to the ballot by the two major parties (Republican and Democrat), but do not appear on the ballot with a party affiliation. There are two open seats on the ballot this year.

Term: 8 years, there is no limit on how many terms they serve, but a justice must be under 70 years old when they are elected.

Members of the State Board of Education manage K-12 public schools.

The State Board of Education makes decision about things like:

• School-based food programs.
• Student assessments.
• Early childhood learning.
• How federal funds are distributed to schools.

Note: Vote for two candidates in each race.

Term: 8 years.

This can include: University of Michigan Regents, Michigan State University Trustees, and Wayne State University Board of Governors.

They make decisions about the supervision of the universities and how their funds are spent. Members are not compensated for their service.

Note: Vote for two candidates in each race.

Term: 8 years.

The county executive is the highest elected office at the county level.

They are responsible for managing county activities and enforcing ordinances passed by the county commissioners as well as laws passed by the state.

Term: 4 years (in counties where they are on the ballot).

County commissioners serve on the Board of County Commissioners and comprise the legislative branch at the county level.

They work to pass county level laws (called ordinances) and pass county level budgets.

Term: 4 years.

The prosecuting attorney for a county represents the people of the county, and prosecutes felony and misdemeanor cases. 

Term: 4 years.

The county sheriff is responsible for enforcing laws and maintaining a jail within a county.

Term: 4 years.

The clerk and register of deeds is responsible for legal documents that are related to property (for example: liens, mortgages, wills, and land contracts). 

Term: 4 years.

The county treasurer is responsible for public funds (at the county level). They serve as the county’s banker and investor.

Term: 4 years.

Drain Commissioner / Water Resource Commissioner (Oakland County) / Public Works Commissioner (Macomb County)

Drain commissioners are responsible for maintaining drainage systems and administering laws that relate to stormwater management, flood protection, and soil erosion.

Term: 4 years.

The township supervisor is the highest elected office at the township level.

They serve as the township’s legal agent and are responsible for developing the township’s budget.

Term: 4 years.

The township clerk administers elections, maintains the voter registration file, prepares warrants, maintains township records, and publishes meeting notices.

Term: 4 years.

The township treasurer is responsible for public funds, collects taxes, and issues township checks.

Term: 4 years.

The township trustees are township-level lawmakers. They develop and vote on local policies.

Term: 4 years.

The mayor is the highest elected office at the city level. They preside over the city council/city commission, and may be a voting member of the city council/commission.

A mayor’s duties may vary from city to city. Generally, they work to ensure that laws and ordinance are enforced, they develop and administer the city’s budget, appoint board and committee members, and manage city services. They are elected to a two- or four-year term depending on the city.

Term: 2 or 4 year term depending on the city.

City councilmembers/commissioners are city-level lawmakers.

They develop and vote on city-level policies, approve budgets, appoint and direct officials (like the city manager).

Term: 2 or 4 year term depending on the city.

The city clerk is responsible for city-level clerical and administrative services, maintaining public records, facilitating meetings, and administering elections. 

Term: 4 years.

Appellate court judges review cases from the trial courts and determine if an error occurred in a previous trial.

Judges on the appellate court serve a district that covers a geographic area.

Term: 6 years.

Circuit court judges serve in a trial court and hear cases with damages over $25,000 as well as all felony criminal cases.

Term: 6 years.

Probate court judges handle wills, estates, and trusts.

They appoint guardians and conservators for minors, and order treatments for people with mental illnesses as well as for people with developmental disabilities.

Term: 6 years.

District court judges serve in a trial court and hear cases with damages under $25,000. These judges decide on traffic violations, tenant and landlord disputes, and all misdemeanor criminal cases.

Term: 6 years.

Local school board members are responsible for the operations of the school district.

They make decisions about curriculum, staffing, student safety and welfare, property, and establish policies.

Term: 4 years.

The proposal section on your ballot contains statewide and local proposals.

In 2024, there are no statewide proposals; however, there may be local proposals including  mileages, decisions related to your city charter, or other local decisions.

Be sure to check them out ahead of time.