Hamtramck meeting filled with accusations about city clerk, disputed ballots and calls for investigations
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Summary
Residents used public comment at a Nov. 18 special Hamtramck City Council meeting to allege misconduct in the city clerk’s office, claim 37 ballots were mishandled, and urge investigations or recounts; the mayor defended the council and said legal advice is guiding next steps.
Residents at a special Hamtramck City Council meeting on Nov. 18 pressed elected officials for investigations into the conduct of the city clerk’s office and raised questions about a small set of disputed ballots from the recent election.
Several speakers accused the city clerk, named in comment as Vanna Faraj, of improper conduct. Abraham Elginhe told the council that he had seen “2 TikTok videos” that included “a punching bag with councilman Maheeth's picture” and said, “There have been corruption in in the city clerk's office, and I can testify to that.” Another commenter, Matohed Babad, called the episode “a major scandal,” asserted that individuals had improper access to the Election Operation Room and said “anyone who neglect their duties should face legal action.”
Speakers also raised a contested set of 37 ballots. Mohammed Ali said “those 37 were found in Rana's office and was not counted,” and later commenters urged legal action or a recount for the ballots they believe were mishandled. Multiple residents framed the concern as a matter of process and chain of custody; one urged candidates to pursue available legal remedies while another appealed to the council to represent voters whose ballots are disputed.
Mayor (speaker 2) addressed the audience at length, rejecting broad claims that the council as a body had caused lawsuits and noting the city had recently prevailed in separate legal challenges (a case involving a pride flag and a marijuana dispensary dispute). The mayor said the council takes legal advice before acting, called media coverage of the dispute “noise,” and pledged the city would “fight even for years to defend the city” and protect taxpayer resources.
The council suspended the rules and met in closed session to receive legal advice; after returning the mayor said there was no public action taken in the open meeting as a result of that closed session. Several residents and elected members said they will pursue available options for contesting the election count if necessary.
What happens next: The council did not announce formal administrative discipline or a personnel action on the public record at the meeting. Speakers who raised concerns urged candidates and residents to pursue legal remedies; the city attorney clarified that automatic recount thresholds apply only to statewide races and that local recounts must be requested and paid for by the requester. The mayor said the council will rely on attorney guidance before taking administrative steps.
