Mayor Adam Alharbi, who has held the position since January, has packed up his office after 37 previously uncounted absentee ballots overturned the November 2025 election results. Now, Hamtramck is preparing to inaugurate a new mayor nearly a year after the election.

Thirty-Seven Ballots, One Political Headache

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Alharbi originally defeated former Councilman Muhith Mahmood by just 11 votes. But the 37 ballots, discovered in the city clerk’s office after Election Day, weren’t counted because of chain-of-custody concerns. Following months of litigation, the ballots were finally counted October 16, giving Mahmood 2,089 votes to Alharbi’s 2,077 – a 12-vote victory.

The judge, in the opinion, says, “As of today, it appears that Mahmood is, in fact, the rightful mayor of Hamtramck.”

Mahmood previously told WXYZ, “My position always has been to count those 37 ballots. My position was (to) uphold the American democracy, people’s rights, and every legal vote has to be counted. As I say, whatever outcome comes, I’m okay with it.”

Does He Actually Live There?

Alharbi challenged Mahmood’s eligibility in court, arguing he actually lives in Troy with his wife and children rather than Hamtramck. On October 30, Wayne County Circuit Judge Kathleen McCarthy rejected that argument, finding insufficient evidence to disqualify Mahmood. She also ordered election officials to certify the disputed ballots. Wayne County did so on Wednesday, November 4. The new mayor will be sworn in on Sunday, November 8.

But Alharbi isn’t surrendering the office without another fight. His attorney, Nabih Ayad, announced that he plans to appeal the ruling to the Michigan Court of Appeals.