A starter switch device controls the application of an electric current from a power source to a starter motor and drives a pinion for transmitting the rotation of said starter motor to engage with a ring gear of an internal combustion engine. The starter switch device includes a shaft provided movably in the axial direction thereof, and open-close operation of electrical contacts for communicating the power source with the starter motor and also the driving of the pinion are carried out via the shaft. Further, there is provided a motor for driving this shaft, and the shaft and the motor are connected through a mechanism for transforming the rotation of the motor into the linear movement of the shaft.