Chapter 201

VACANCIES IN OFFICE
Revised Statutes of 1846
R.S. of 1846

Chapter 15
Chapter 15. Of resignations, vacancies, and removals, and of supplying vacancies.
RESIGNATIONS.

201.1 Resignation from public office; to whom made.

Sec. 1.

Resignations shall be made as follows:

1. By officers appointed by the governor alone, or by the governor by and with the advice and consent of the senate, or both branches of the legislature, to the governor;

2. By all other officers holding their offices by appointment, and not by election, to the body, board, or officer that appointed them;

3. By all other officers holding their offices by election, to the governor, if the governor is authorized to fill the vacancy created by the resignation.

History: R.S. 1846, Ch. 15 ;-- CL 1857, 473 ;-- CL 1871, 615 ;-- How. 647 ;-- CL 1897, 1153 ;-- CL 1915, 239 ;-- CL 1929, 3348 ;-- CL 1948, 201.1 ;-- Am. 1954, Act 40, Eff. June 1, 1955 ;-- Am. 1957, Act 194, Eff. Sept. 27, 1957

201.2 Resignation from public office; statement filed with secretary of state.

Sec. 2.

It shall be the duty of all officers, bodies, or boards to whom the resignation of any office contemplated in the last preceding section, is authorized to be made, or who are authorized to fill any vacancy in any of said offices, or to order a special election therefor, when duly informed of the existence of such vacancy, to cause to be filed in the office of the secretary of state, a statement of the occurrence, with the date and cause of such vacancy.

History: R.S. 1846, Ch. 15 ;-- CL 1857, 474 ;-- CL 1871, 616 ;-- How. 648 ;-- CL 1897, 1154 ;-- CL 1915, 240 ;-- CL 1929, 3349 ;-- CL 1948, 201.2

VACANCIES.

201.3 Vacancies; creation.

Sec. 3.

Every office shall become vacant, on the happening of any of the following events, before the expiration of the term of such office:

1. The death of the incumbent;

2. His resignation;

3. His removal from office;

4. His ceasing to be an inhabitant of this state; or, if the office be local, of the district, county, township, city, or village, for which he shall have been appointed, or within which the duties of his office are required to be discharged;

5. His conviction of any infamous crime, or of any offense involving a violation of his oath of office;

6. The decision of a competent tribunal, declaring void his appointment, or,

7. His refusal or neglect to take his oath of office, or to give, or renew any official bond, or to deposit such oath, or bond, in the manner and within the time prescribed by law.

History: R.S. 1846, Ch. 15 ;-- Am. 1851, Act 172, Imd. Eff. June 27, 1851 ;-- CL 1857, 475 ;-- CL 1871, 617 ;-- How. 649 ;-- CL 1897, 1155 ;-- CL 1915, 241 ;-- CL 1929, 3350 ;-- CL 1948, 201.3 ;-- Am. 1954, Act 40, Eff. June 1, 1955

REMOVALS FROM OFFICE.

201.4 Repealed. 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955.

Compiler's Notes: The repealed section enumerated grounds for removal of certain officers.

201.5 Vacancy appointee, removal by governor.

Sec. 5.

All officers who are or shall be appointed by the governor to fill a vacancy which shall have existed during the recess of the legislature, may be removed by the governor.

History: R.S. 1846, Ch. 15 ;-- CL 1857, 477 ;-- CL 1871, 619 ;-- How. 652 ;-- CL 1897, 1158 ;-- CL 1915, 244 ;-- CL 1929, 3352 ;-- CL 1948, 201.5
Compiler's Notes: This section as originally enacted was numbered section 6.

201.6 Repealed. 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955.

Compiler's Notes: The repealed section provided procedure for removal by governor of municipal officers.

201.7 Inquiry by attorney general or prosecutor; procedure; compensation of nonresident probate judge; endorsement of witnesses on charges; grand jury testimony.

Sec. 7.

The governor may direct the attorney general or the prosecuting attorney of the county in which such officer may be, unless such prosecuting attorney be the officer charged, to conduct an inquiry into the charges made, and the said attorney general or such prosecuting attorney shall thereupon give at least 8 days' notice to the officer accused of the time and place at which he will proceed to the examination of witnesses in relation to such charges before some circuit court commissioner or judge of probate for the same county, or any judge of probate who may be appointed by the governor for such purpose, and he shall also, at the time of giving such notice, serve upon the officer accused a copy of such charges. If the judge of probate so appointed resides other than in the county in which the accused resides, such judge of probate shall be paid by such county the sum of $10.00 per day and expenses for time actually used in such hearing.

Upon application of the accused officer, the commissioner or probate judge shall require the endorsement of witnesses on the charges in the same manner and subject to the same rules of law as is required in criminal cases.

In proceedings under this act originated by complaint filed by a grand juror acting pursuant to section 4 of chapter 7 of Act No. 175 of the Public Acts of 1927, as amended, being section 767.4 of the Compiled Laws of 1948, the testimony of a witness before the grand juror, if he is also a witness in the removal proceedings, shall be made available for the purpose of determining whether it is consistent with or different from the testimony before the grand juror. The commissioner or probate judge shall make a preliminary examination of the testimony given by the witness before the grand juror and shall limit the availability thereof to those portions relevant to the removal proceeding.

History: R.S. 1846, Ch. 15 ;-- Am. 1853, Act 19, Imd. Eff. Jan. 29, 1853 ;-- CL 1857, 479 ;-- Am. 1871, Act 63, Eff. July 18, 1871 ;-- CL 1871, 621 ;-- How. 654 ;-- CL 1897, 1160 ;-- CL 1915, 246 ;-- Am. 1923, Act 8, Eff. Aug. 30, 1923 ;-- CL 1929, 3354 ;-- CL 1948, 201.7 ;-- Am. 1960, Act 145, Eff. Aug. 7, 1960
Constitutionality: Order of court of appeals, declaring this section unconstitutional, affirmed by an equally divided court on grounds that statute unlawfully imposes executive functions on judicial officers in contravention of Const 1963, art III, § 2. Buback v Governor, 380 Mich 209; 156 NW2d 549 (1968).
Compiler's Notes: This section as originally enacted was numbered section 8.

201.8 Subpoenas; issuance, enforcement, witness fees.

Sec. 8.

The attorney general or prosecuting attorney may issue subpoenas, signed by him with his name of office, to compel the attendance of any witness whom he shall deem material, before said circuit court commissioner or judge of probate, and such commissioner or judge of probate shall have the same power to enforce obedience to such subpoena by attachment, and to commit any person who shall refuse to be sworn or to answer, as the circuit court would have in a civil cause pending therein, and the fees of such witnesses shall be the same as in civil cases, and shall be a charge against the county.

History: R.S. 1846, Ch. 15 ;-- CL 1857, 480 ;-- Am. 1871, Act 63, Eff. July 18, 1871 ;-- CL 1871, 622 ;-- Am. 1879, Act 243, Eff. Aug. 30, 1879 ;-- How. 655 ;-- CL 1897, 1161 ;-- CL 1915, 247 ;-- CL 1929, 3355 ;-- CL 1948, 201.8
Compiler's Notes: This section as originally enacted was numbered section 9.

201.9 Subpoenas; accused entitled to.

Sec. 9.

On the application of the officer accused to the prosecuting attorney, or to any justice of the peace, he shall be entitled to the like process of subpoena, obedience to which may be enforced in the same manner as provided in the last preceding section by the commissioner, or judge of probate, before whom the witness may be conducted.

History: R.S. 1846, Ch. 15 ;-- CL 1857, 481 ;-- Am. 1871, Act 63, Eff. July 18, 1871 ;-- CL 1871, 623 ;-- How. 656 ;-- CL 1897, 1162 ;-- CL 1915, 248 ;-- CL 1929, 3356 ;-- CL 1948, 201.9
Compiler's Notes: This section as originally enacted was numbered section 10.

201.10 Testimony; transcript, summary transmitted to governor and accused; fees.

Sec. 10.

At the time and place there specified in the notice, the commissioner or judge of probate, before whom such inquiry shall be conducted, shall proceed to take the testimony of the witnesses produced before him by the attorney general or prosecuting attorney and by the officer accused, which witnesses shall be sworn by such commissioner or judge of probate and every answer given by them to any question, which either party shall require to be reduced to writing, shall be taken stenographically or in writing under the direction of such commissioner or judge of probate, and such testimony shall be certified by the commissioner or judge of probate, taking the same to be a correct transcript of all of the testimony so taken in said hearing. The commissioner or judge of probate shall observe the rules of evidence as are followed in chancery cases and shall have authority to rule on questions of procedural law. He may authorize the taking of depositions in the same manner as is provided for civil cases. Such testimony so taken and certified shall be delivered by said commissioner or judge of probate to such prosecuting attorney or attorney general, who shall transmit the same with a summary of such testimony to the governor, and the fees of the commissioner or other officer for the performance of such services shall be a charge against the county. If requested by the accused officer prior to the close of taking testimony, a copy of the summary shall be transmitted to him at the same time it is transmitted to the governor. The accused officer shall then be permitted to examine the transcript of testimony furnished to the governor and to prepare his own summary thereof and deliver it to the governor, with a copy to the prosecuting attorney or attorney general, not later than 15 days after the original summary was transmitted to the governor.

History: R.S. 1846, Ch. 15 ;-- Am. 1853, Act 19, Imd. Eff. Jan. 29, 1853 ;-- CL 1857, 482 ;-- Am. 1871, Act 63, Eff. July 18, 1871 ;-- CL 1871, 624 ;-- Am. 1879, Act 243, Eff. Aug. 30, 1879 ;-- Am. 1883, Act 27, Eff. Sept. 8, 1883 ;-- How. 657 ;-- CL 1897, 1163 ;-- CL 1915, 249 ;-- Am. 1923, Act 8, Eff. Aug. 30, 1923 ;-- CL 1929, 3357 ;-- CL 1948, 201.10 ;-- Am. 1960, Act 145, Eff. Aug. 17, 1960
Compiler's Notes: This section as originally enacted was numbered section 11.

201.11 Charges against prosecuting attorney; investigation, procedure.

Sec. 11.

Whenever charges shall be made against any prosecuting attorney as provided in section 7(6) of this chapter, the governor shall direct the attorney general, or the prosecuting attorney of some county adjoining that in which the accused resides, or some other attorney at law, to conduct the inquiry into such charges, and such officer or attorney, when so directed, shall have and exercise the same powers to conduct such inquiry, and shall proceed therein in the same manner, as the prosecuting attorney of the proper county is authorized and required to do in other cases.

History: R.S. 1846, Ch. 15 ;-- CL 1857, 483 ;-- CL 1871, 625 ;-- How. 658 ;-- CL 1897, 1164 ;-- CL 1915, 250 ;-- CL 1929, 3358 ;-- CL 1948, 201.11
Compiler's Notes: This section as originally enacted was numbered section 12.The reference to section 7(6) in this section evidently should be to section 6, which was repealed by Act 116 of 1954.

201.12, 201.13 Repealed. 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955.

Compiler's Notes: The repealed sections provided for removal of county clerks and for declaration by governor of vacancies.

SUPPLYING VACANCIES.

201.14 Governor may fill certain vacancies during recess of legislature, term.

Sec. 14.

When during the recess of the legislature there shall be in either of the offices to be appointed by the governor alone or by the governor, by and with the advice and consent of the senate, or of both branches of the legislature, or by the legislature without the concurrence of the governor no officer duly authorized to execute the duties thereof, some suitable person may be selected and appointed by the governor to perform the duties of either of said officers for the time being, and when during the recess of the legislature the term of office of any officer appointed by the governor alone, or by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate or of both branches of the legislature, or by the legislature, without the concurrence of the governor shall expire, the governor shall have power to appoint some suitable person to such office, and such person shall hold such office unless sooner removed by competent authority, until the close of the next session of the legislature or until his successor is appointed, or elected and qualified.

History: R.S. 1846, Ch. 15 ;-- Am. 1851, Act 172, Imd. Eff. June 27, 1851 ;-- CL 1857, 486 ;-- CL 1871, 628 ;-- How. 662 ;-- CL 1897, 1168 ;-- CL 1915, 254 ;-- CL 1929, 3361 ;-- CL 1948, 201.14
Compiler's Notes: This section as originally enacted was numbered section 15.

201.15 Vacancies in certain county offices; temporary appointment.

Sec. 15.

When at any time there shall be in either of the offices of county clerk or prosecuting attorney, no officer duly authorized to execute the duties thereof, the judge of the circuit court of the circuit in which the county where such vacancy exists shall be situated may appoint some suitable person to perform the duties of either of said officers for the time being; and when at any time there shall be in either of the offices of sheriff, coroner, register of deeds or county surveyor, no officer duly authorized to execute the duties thereof some suitable person may be appointed by the county clerk and prosecuting attorney of the county to perform the duties of either of said offices for the time being.

History: R.S. 1846, Ch. 15 ;-- Am. 1851, Act 172, Imd. Eff. June 27, 1851 ;-- CL 1857, 487 ;-- CL 1871, 629 ;-- How. 663 ;-- CL 1897, 1169 ;-- CL 1915, 255 ;-- CL 1929, 3362 ;-- CL 1948, 201.15
Compiler's Notes: This section as originally enacted was numbered section 16.

201.16 Oaths and bonds of appointees.

Sec. 16.

Each of the persons appointed in pursuance of either of the 2 last preceding sections, shall before proceeding to execute the duties assigned him, comply with such conditions and directions as shall be prescribed and given relative to oaths and bonds, by the officer or officers appointing him as aforesaid.

History: R.S. 1846, Ch. 15 ;-- CL 1857, 488 ;-- CL 1871, 630 ;-- How. 664 ;-- CL 1897, 1170 ;-- CL 1915, 256 ;-- CL 1929, 3363 ;-- CL 1948, 201.16
Compiler's Notes: This section as originally enacted was numbered section 17.

201.17 Officers appointed by governor during recess, term.

Sec. 17.

All officers appointed by the governor during the recess of the legislature, shall continue to exercise the duties of their respective offices, until the close of the next succeeding session, unless others shall be appointed in their stead by competent authority, and shall have entered upon the discharge of their respective duties.

History: R.S. 1846, Ch. 15 ;-- CL 1857, 489 ;-- CL 1871, 631 ;-- How. 665 ;-- CL 1897, 1171 ;-- CL 1915, 257 ;-- CL 1929, 3364 ;-- CL 1948, 201.17
Compiler's Notes: This section as originally enacted was numbered section 18.

FILLING OF VACANCIES
Act 199 of 1923
AN ACT to provide for the filling of vacancies in appointive and elective public offices.

History: 1923, Act 199, Eff. Aug. 30, 1923

The People of the State of Michigan enact:

201.31 Vacancies in office; state officers; appointment by governor, term.

Sec. 1.

Whenever a vacancy shall occur in any elective or appointive state office, other than the office of senator or representative in the state legislature or representative or senator in congress or a judge of a court of record, the governor shall fill such vacancy by appointment for the remainder of the unexpired term of such office.

History: 1923, Act 199, Eff. Aug. 30, 1923 ;-- CL 1929, 3365 ;-- CL 1948, 201.31
Former Law: See Ch. 4 of Act 203 of 1917.

201.32-201.34 Repealed. 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955.

Compiler's Notes: The repealed sections provided for filling of vacancies in certain public offices.

201.35 Vacancies in office; county officers; appointment, term.

Sec. 5.

When a vacancy shall occur in an elective or appointive county office, it shall be filled in the following manner:

1. If the vacancy shall be in the office of county clerk or prosecuting attorney it shall be filled by appointment by the judge or judges of that judicial circuit and the person appointed shall hold office for the remainder of the unexpired term.

2. If the vacancy shall be in any other county office, either elective or appointive, the judge of probate, the county clerk and the prosecuting attorney shall appoint some suitable person to fill such vacancy and the person so appointed shall hold such office for the remainder of the unexpired term.

History: 1923, Act 199, Eff. Aug. 30, 1923 ;-- CL 1929, 3369 ;-- CL 1948, 201.35

201.36 Repealed. 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955.

Compiler's Notes: The repealed section provided for manner of filling vacancies in township offices.

201.37 Vacancies in office; village or city officers; filling.

Sec. 7.

Whenever a vacancy shall occur in an elective or appointive village or city office, it shall be filled in the manner provided by the law or charter governing the filling of vacancies in the village or city in which the vacancy occurs.

History: 1923, Act 199, Eff. Aug. 30, 1923 ;-- CL 1929, 3371 ;-- CL 1948, 201.37

VACANCIES IN CERTAIN STATE OFFICES
Act 159 of 1851
201.41 Repealed. 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955.

VACANCIES IN OFFICE OF JUSTICE OF PEACE
Act 76 of 1917
AN ACT to authorize township boards of townships and legislative bodies of cities to fill vacancies in the office of justice of the peace; and to provide for designation of substitute municipal judges and justices of the peace.

History: 1917, Act 76, Imd. Eff. Apr. 17, 1917 ;-- Am. 1945, Act 96, Imd. Eff. Apr. 16, 1945

The People of the State of Michigan enact:

201.51 Repealed. 1980, Act 180, Imd. Eff. July 2, 1980.

Compiler's Notes: The repealed section pertained to vacancy in office of justice of peace.

201.52 Designation of substitute municipal judges or justice.

Sec. 2.

When the judge of the municipal court or the justice of the peace in any city having only 1 municipal judge or justice of the peace, who is paid a salary in lieu of fees, is unable to perform the duties of his office by reason of illness or absence from the city, said judge, justice of the peace, or his chief clerk may designate any other justice of the peace or municipal judge of the same county to sit in the court of the municipal judge or justice of the peace who is absent or ill: Provided, That no justice of the peace or municipal judge shall be so designated unless qualified under the provisions of the city charter. The judge or justice of the peace so designated shall perform the duties and exercise all of the powers of the municipal judge or justice of the peace in whose court he is sitting during such absence or illness and his compensation shall be in the same amount and payable from the same fund as that paid to such absent or incapacitated judge.

History: Add. 1945, Act 96, Imd. Eff. Apr. 16, 1945 ;-- CL 1948, 201.52

ADDITIONAL JUSTICES OF PEACE
Act 211 of 1929
201.61-201.65 Repealed. 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955.

REMOVAL FOR DRUNKENNESS
Act 79 of 1871
201.81 Repealed. 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955.

NOTICE OF VACANCY IN PUBLIC OFFICE
Act 190 of 1879
AN ACT in relation to removals from and filling vacancies in certain public offices.

History: 1879, Act 190, Eff. Aug. 30, 1879 ;-- Am. 1915, Act 149, Eff. Aug. 24, 1915

The People of the State of Michigan enact:

201.91 Vacancy; notice to appointing officer, body, or state treasurer.

Sec. 1.

(1) If a vacancy occurs in any public office, and the vacancy may be filled by appointment by the governor or otherwise, notice of that vacancy and of the facts why the vacancy exists, shall, within 10 days after the vacancy occurs, be given in writing to the officer, board or body, having power to fill the vacancy by appointment. The notice shall be given as follows:

(a) If the vacancy is in any county office, except for the county clerk, by the clerk of that county.

(b) If in the office of the circuit judge or judges or recorders of a city court, by the clerk of the county where that officer resides at the time of the vacancy.

(d) If the vacancy is in the office of secretary of state, by the state treasurer.

(e) In all other cases, by the secretary of state.

(2) If a vacancy occurs in an office the salary for which is paid in whole or part from the state treasury, the officer, board, or body having the appointing power shall immediately after receiving notice of the vacancy notify the state treasurer of that vacancy.

History: 1879, Act 190, Eff. Aug. 30, 1879 ;-- How. 650 ;-- CL 1897, 1156 ;-- CL 1915, 242 ;-- CL 1929, 3380 ;-- CL 1948, 201.91 ;-- Am. 2002, Act 378, Imd. Eff. May 24, 2002

RECALL OF CERTAIN ELECTIVE OFFICERS
Act 325 of 1913
201.101-201.108 Repealed. 1954, Act 116, Eff. June 1, 1955.

Rendered 8/15/2025 10:28 AM
Michigan Compiled Laws Complete Through PA 5 of 2025
Courtesy of legislature.mi.gov