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Whether an election is partisan or non-partisan is a function of statutory law . The primary statutory source in Michigan for elections is the Michigan Election Law, MCL 168.1, et seq. This body of law sets forth the provisions that govern local elections, including the nomination and election of candidates for local offices (i.e., township offices). With respect to township offices, MCL 168.345 provides that candidates for township offices are selected at a partisan primary, “at which time the qualified and registered electors of each political party may vote for party candidates for township offices.” The candidate of “each political party to a township office” receiving the greatest number of votes shall be declared “the nominee . . .  of that political party.” MCL 168.355. As a result, township elections are inherently partisan.