Ballot issue has court hearing next week

By Charles Sercombe
For weeks now, a number of people have been wondering when those 37 uncounted ballots from last November’s city election will be counted.
Well, it appears that date is getting closer.
Mayor Adam Alharbi has been fighting to prevent those ballots from being counted, but the state’s appeals court has rejected his efforts.
Next Wednesday, attorneys for Alharbi and his mayoral challenger from last year, former councilmember Muhith Mahmood, will meet with Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Kathleen McCarthy to discuss the issue.
The hold up on counting the ballots, after the legal appeals by Alharbi were rejected, has been for a judge to issue an order directing the Wayne County Board of Canvassers to do so.
Yes, we know, what a crazy legal maze it is to get a few ballots counted.
It’s expected that Judge McCarthy will issue that order.
What’s at stake is that the counting of those ballots could decide whether Hamtramck has a new mayor – Muhith Mahmood.
The November election was a very close one. Alharbi squeaked by with an 11-vote margin of victory.
The counting of the 37 ballots could tip the election result in favor of Mahmood.
Hamtramck taxpayers are footing the legal bill for Alharbi’s private fight to prevent those ballots from being included in the vote tally.
If the election swings in favor of Mahmood, will there be further legal maneuvering?
That’s unknown, at this point.

Posted Sept. 25, 2026