Hamtramck council accepts Wayne County certification, declines to count 37 late/unsecured ballots amid pending litigation

Hamtramck — The City Council on Dec. 16 adopted a resolution accepting Wayne County'certified election results and asking that 37 ballots discovered after the certification cutoff, which county canvassers declined to count citing chain-of-custody concerns, remain disregarded. The measure drew extended debate: proponents cited the county certification and concerns that the late-found ballots had been exposed and were therefore unsafe to tabulate; opponents said the voters who cast those ballots deserve their votes to be counted and noted the issue is now the subject of litigation.

At the meeting, councilmembers and several public commenters argued over practical and legal consequences. One council member said the 37 ballots were found unsecured after hours and therefore could not be trusted; another said Wayne County twice recounted and certified the results and argued the county's work should be respected. The city attorney confirmed the city is a defendant in related litigation and that any council resolution would largely register the council's opinion for the court and could be provided to the judge but would not command Wayne County or the judiciary.

The resolution passed with several councilmembers voting to accept and one recorded opposition; a few members abstained or noted they lacked full information. The council's vote does not end the legal process: the dispute is pending in circuit court, and the judge will decide whether the county's disallowance of the 37 ballots was lawful. Council members said they would provide the court with the council's view if directed by the city attorney.