Press Release | Court Review Requested for Muskegon’s New Term Limit Amendment
November 12, 2025
The Muskegon City Clerk received petitions asking to change Chapter III, Section 3 City Charter. The change would add a 12-year term limit for people serving on the City Commission. According to the Michigan Home Rule City Act, this proposed amendment was added to the November 4, 2025, ballot, even though the Attorney General gave an opinion against it and the Governor did not approve it. The goal of the amendment is to limit City Commissioners to a total of 12 years in office. Review the Governor and Attorney General letters here.
On the November 4, 2025, ballot, voters chose a Mayor, two City Commissioners, and voted on the Charter Amendment. Mayor Ken Johnson and Commissioner Rebecca St. Clair were re-elected, Kiley Jackson was elected to the City Commission, and the Charter Amendment passed. View election results here.
Because the new Charter language could be interpreted in multiple ways, the city filed a lawsuit on November 11, 2025, asking the Court to make a ruling. The city is asking the Court to confirm that:
- All time already served on the City Commission counts toward the 12-year limit — not just time after November 2025.
- Commissioner German, whose current term runs from January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2027, may finish his current term but cannot serve after that date.
- Mayor Johnson may serve until December 31, 2029.
You can find a copy of the filing documents here. The City of Muskegon will provide additional information following the court’s decision in this matter via press release.
Media Contact
Deborah Sweet
231-225-6797
[email protected]