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Local democracy is holding strong, but rural communities are falling behind, new survey of Michigan officials shows

  • Written by Stephanie Leiser, Director, Center for Local, State, and Urban Policy, University of Michigan
imageLansing City Clerk Chris Swope collects absentee ballots from a drop box in 2024. Bill Pugliano/Getty Images

According to our recent survey of officials in Michigan communities, local democracy is humming along and city hall is taking care of business.

The federal government was shut down in October and November 2025, but cities and towns around...

Read more: Local democracy is holding strong, but rural communities are falling behind, new survey of...

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