Grand Rapids Voters adopted the Commission-Manager form of government in 1916. This means that City leadership is made up of elected officials and the City Manager. The City Commission is a legislative body. Its members are the community’s policymakers. The Commission hires the Manager to serve as the City’s chief administrator. For more info, you can view the City of Grand Rapids Charter online.

The Mayor is the official head of the City and presides at meetings when the City Commission makes decisions. This person is elected “at large,” or by the entire City. This legislative body consists of the Mayor and six Commissioners. The City is divided into three legislative districts called Wards. The residents of each Ward directly elect two commissioners to represent them. Commissioners serve four-year overlapping terms. Every two years, the community elects one commissioner from each ward.