Michigan township officials have far more responsibilities than those in other states. It’s a question being asked by more and more Michigan townships and villages. “There’s a lot of stress in being a rural clerk, the pay isn’t great and it’s a part-time thing,” said Hillsdale County Clerk Abe Dane. There are at least 14,500 elected local government positions in Michigan townships, villages, cities and school boards. Only 20 states, primarily in the Northeast and Midwest, have townships, and many of them allocate responsibilities borne by Michigan townships to counties.