A switching system includes a MEMS switching circuit having a MEMS switch and a driver circuit. An auxiliary circuit is coupled in parallel with the MEMS switching circuit, the auxiliary circuit comprising first and second connections that connect the auxiliary circuit to the MEMS switching circuit on opposing sides of the MEMS switch, first and second solid state switches connected in parallel, and a resonant circuit connected between the first and second solid state switches. A control circuit controls selective switching of a load current towards the MEMS switching circuit and the auxiliary circuit by selectively activating the first and second solid state switches and the resonant circuit so as to limit a voltage across the MEMS switch by diverting at least a portion of the load current away from the MEMS switch to flow to the auxiliary circuit prior to the MEMS switch changing state.