City Clerk

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Responsibilities of the City Clerk

The City Clerk's duties include:

  • Clerk of the City Council
  • Elections and voter registration officer
  • The custodian of City records and the City seal
  • Administers the oaths of office

Running for Office in the City of Ionia

City Council

The City Charter states that there shall be a City Council comprised of the Mayor and eight members. Two City Council members shall be elected from and by the voters in each of four council districts (wards). The mayor shall be elected from the city at-large in accordance with the provisions of the City Charter. The four wards are each considered separate precincts but all vote in the same polling location at the Ionia Armory Community Center, 439 West Main Street. A map is provided below showing the boundaries for the four wards.

Eligibility

Council members shall be registered voters of the ward from which they are elected.

City of Ionia Ward Map (PDF)

Election and Terms

The regular election of City Council members shall be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November in even-numbered years, in the manner provided by law. The candidate from each ward receiving the most votes will serve a four-year term. The term of council members shall begin the first day of January after their election.

If you are interested in running for elected office in the City of Ionia, please contact the City Clerk to obtain information and documents.

Mayor

At each mayoral election, a mayor shall be elected for a term of four years. Only registered voters of the city shall be eligible to hold the office of Mayor-Council. The mayor shall be the chief executive officer of the city.

August 4, 2026 - State Primary Election

To confirm that you are registered to vote, given your current address, please visit the Michigan Voter Information Center (MVIC) online. On this website, you can also update your registration if you have recently moved as long as it is more than 14 days before the election. Contact the City Clerk’s Office to update your registration within 14 days of the election.

City Clerk Election Office Hours will be held on Saturday, August 1 from 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. in the Clerk's Office at City Hall. City Hall is located at 114 North Kidd Street, Ionia, MI 48846. These office hours are intended for any election-related business.

Reminder: Polls will be open, on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, from 7:00 A.M. - 8:00 P.M., at the Ionia Armory Community Center for City residents who wish to vote in person. An accessible entrance is located on the southeast side of the building at 439 West Main Street. Same-day voter registration will be available at the Armory in the first-floor conference room on Election Day but wait times should be expected. The Clerk's Office will be moved temporarily to the Armory on August 3rd and 4th to assist with all election-related business.

Absentee ballots can be returned up until 8:00 PM on Election Day August 4, at the drop box in front of City Hall, 114 N. Kidd Street. If you were issued an absentee ballot and decide to vote in person, please expect delays.

The City Clerk can be reached for all election-related questions via email at jbowman@ci.ionia.mi.us or by calling (616) 523-0147.

Clerk's Office Documents & Links