Hamtramck Mayor to Step Down After 37 Ballots Flip 2025 Race

Key points

• The Wayne County Board of Canvassers counted 37 previously excluded absentee ballots on October 16, 2026, in Detroit.
• The new tally shows Muhith Mahmood with 2,089 votes and incumbent Adam Alharbi with 2,077 votes.
• The original 2025 results favored Alharbi by 11 votes but excluded these ballots due to a broken chain of custody.
• Alharbi alleges ballot tampering and intends to request a recount, while also challenging Mahmood's eligibility based on residency.
• Certification of the mayoral race is delayed by a pending court case regarding Mahmood's residency, potentially extending into November.

Background

This dispute follows a prolonged legal battle that began after Election Day 2025, when officials discovered 37 ballots in the clerk's office. A circuit court initially refused to count them, but an appeals court reversed that decision in March 2026. The Michigan Supreme Court declined to hear the case in August 2026. This situation occurs amidst broader national debates over mail ballot security and federal challenges to state election procedures, as seen in recent DOJ actions in California.

How outlets are covering it

Votebeat emphasizes the democratic significance of counting every legal vote and notes the potential for Mahmood to become Hamtramck's first Bangladeshi mayor. WXYZ 7 News highlights the ongoing legal challenges, with Alharbi's attorney arguing that the chain of custody was compromised and that the ballots may still be subject to challenge. FOX 2 Detroit focuses on the immediate outcome, noting that the recount favors the challenger while Alharbi pursues legal proceedings regarding Mahmood's residency. All outlets agree that the election's final certification is not yet complete due to pending court cases.

Why it matters

This case illustrates the fragility of close local elections and the long-term impact of procedural errors in ballot handling. It highlights the complex legal hurdles involved in certifying election results when chain of custody and residency eligibility are contested, potentially delaying the transfer of power for months.

What to watch

A residency challenge against Mahmood is expected to be heard next week, though a decision may not be immediate. Certification of the mayoral race could be delayed until after the November midterm elections. Alharbi has indicated he will request a recount once certification is complete, which may take several more weeks.