What SB2504 Does
Through legislation, the governor’s proposal would lower the petition threshold to 5% of registered voters in the most recent Township election (currently 10%) for communities to add referendums eliminating or consolidating Township government. The legislation would also allow county boards to initiative a referendum on the countywide elimination of a Township, which is unprecedented.
Finally, and unrelated to MTA, the Governor’s proposal would eliminate the office of Township Assessor in counties with populations under 5,000.

What it Does Not Do
If enacted, Townships that are abolished or consolidated will not reduce the state’s bottom line nor balance its budget.

Misconceptions
Despite the governor’s claims, Townships are not duplicative, nor are they “little-know units of local government”, as stated in FY26 Budget. Many Townships, especially in the metropolitan areas, coordinate with their cities and villages to offer unduplicated services, many of which are for vulnerable residents.

Reducing or eliminating Townships would not increase the efficiency of delivering Township programs and services by transferring them to the county.
Township residents can already decide for themselves on Township consolidation through Township elections and the current petition process for abolishment referendums.