Overview
Ada Township voters will elect a Township Supervisor and one or more Trustee seats on the August 4, 2026 primary ballot. These are non-partisan races. The winner of the primary is typically unopposed in November for township offices, making the August primary the decisive election.
Ada Township (ZIP 49302) is a charter township in Kent County with approximately 15,000 residents. It borders Cascade Township to the south and the city of Grand Rapids to the west. Ada Township has seen consistent residential growth driven by its school district quality (Forest Hills Public Schools), natural amenity access (Thornapple River, Ada Park), and proximity to Grand Rapids employment.
The board meets the second Monday of each month at Ada Township Hall. All meetings are open to the public.
What the Ada Township Board Controls
Ada Township is a charter township under Michigan law. Charter township status gives Ada broader powers than a general law township — including the ability to set its own zoning code, levy a dedicated public safety millage, and adopt a parks and recreation master plan.
- Zoning and land use — The Board of Trustees adopts and amends the master plan and zoning ordinance; the Planning Commission makes recommendations but the board votes on final adoption
- Township budget — Property tax millage rates and how funds are spent on roads, parks, and administration
- Building and development permits — Major site plans are reviewed by the Planning Commission and approved by the board
- Parks and recreation — Ada Park, non-motorized trail connections, Thornapple River access; grants from Michigan DNR Trust Fund require board approval
- Road maintenance — Township roads; county-designated roads (like Ada Drive and Cascade Road) are maintained by the Kent County Road Commission with township input
- Contracts and intergovernmental agreements — Ada Township contracts with Kent County Sheriff for law enforcement (same model as Cascade Township)
Source: Ada Township Board of Trustees · Michigan Charter Township Act
The Races on the Ballot
Ada Township's 2026 elected positions and their terms:
| Position | Term | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Township Supervisor | 4 years | Leads the board; signs official documents; primary liaison to county and state |
| Trustee seats | 4 years | Number of trustee seats on ballot depends on expiring terms; check Kent County Clerk for 2026 specific seats |
Candidate filing closed April 2026. The official candidate list is available from the Kent County Clerk's office. In Michigan, township primary winners typically run unopposed in November — the August primary is the decisive vote.
Issues Shaping the Races
- Ada Township is one of Kent County's fastest-growing communities; pressure from Grand Rapids metro expansion
- New subdivisions along Cascade Road and the river corridor are changing Ada's character
- Board candidates differ on density standards, lot minimums, and how fast to grow
- Ada Drive commercial district is the township's economic and social center
- Planning Commission is updating design standards — building heights, parking, walkability
- Candidates differ on how much commercial development to allow near the river
- Ada Park and the Thornapple River trail are heavily used by residents
- Trail expansion toward the Cascade Township border requires coordination and funding
- DNR Trust Fund grants require a board-approved master plan
- Cascade Road and Ada Drive carry significant commuter traffic; congestion is a resident concern
- US-131 access affects commercial development potential along the western township edge
- Township works with Kent County Road Commission on major road projects
What to Watch
- August 4, 2026 — Primary election; supervisor and trustee races decided
- Summer 2026 — Watch for candidate forums; Ada Township does not have a regular candidate debate series but community groups sometimes organize them
- Planning Commission meetings — Ada Drive corridor design standards are moving through the commission now; the next board inherits whatever decisions are in progress
- Parks master plan update — Watch for public comment opportunities on the trail expansion; board elections determine who votes on the final plan
How to confirm you're registered: michigan.gov/vote — enter your address to confirm registration and find your polling location.
Township Hall: 7330 Thornapple River Dr SE, Ada, MI 49301 — meetings second Monday each month, typically 7 PM.