Overview
- Unofficial results show Adam Alharbi ahead of Muhith Mahmood by 11 votes, with 120 cured absentee ballots scheduled to be added at the canvass meeting Tuesday.
- The 37 absentee ballots were discovered in the clerk’s office after Election Day and later deemed compromised because three non‑election officials, including interim City Manager Alex Lagrou, entered the secured space.
- Wayne County’s attorney cited precedent and advised rejecting the ballots; Democrats on the canvassing board voted to count them, Republicans voted against, resulting in a 2–2 tie that leaves them excluded.
- In Dearborn, officials acknowledge absentee ballots were stored in uncertified retention bags, the canvassers split 2–2 on retabulation, and mismatches appeared in 21 of 33 precincts, raising recount concerns.
- Hamtramck City Clerk Rana Faraj is on paid leave after testifying about the discovery, the mayoral race also faces a residency lawsuit against Mahmood, and certification deadlines are Nov. 19 for the county and Nov. 25 for the state.