A Wayne County judge has heard arguments over whether Hamtramck mayoral challenger Muhith Mahmood was living in the city when he stood for election, leaving the result of the 2025 contest unresolved despite a recount putting him ahead.
The residency hearing follows the discovery and counting of 37 absentee ballots, which changed the unofficial outcome nearly a year after Mayor Adam Alharbi was declared the winner.
Hamtramck mayoral dispute returns to court
Wayne County Circuit Judge Kathleen McCarthy heard evidence from neighbours who said they regularly saw Mahmood, his family and vehicles at his Hamtramck property during 2024 and 2025.
Other witnesses described visiting the home and seeing Mahmood’s wife and children there. His legal team argued that the testimony supported his claim that he maintained a residence in the city.
Lawyers challenging Mahmood’s eligibility questioned the reliability of the witnesses, pointing to uncertainty over dates, vehicle details and who occupied parts of the property. They also highlighted personal relationships between some witnesses and the former city councilman.
The challenge alleges that Mahmood primarily lived elsewhere, including in Troy. Evidence presented to the court included utility records, mobile-phone location data and investigators’ findings.
Mahmood’s attorney argued that the evidence did not establish that he had failed to live in Hamtramck for the minimum period required to hold office.
The legal dispute became decisive after 37 ballots found in the city clerk’s office were eventually counted following a court order. Mahmood received 29 of the ballots, while Alharbi received six, with two recorded as write-in votes.
The additional votes moved Mahmood to 2,089 votes, compared with 2,077 for Alharbi. Alharbi had originally won the election by 11 votes and has remained mayor while the courts consider the competing claims.
The revised totals have not been certified. The Wayne County Board of Canvassers has been prevented from confirming Mahmood as the winner until the residency case and related legal challenges are resolved.
The city has said Alharbi will continue to serve as Hamtramck’s mayor in the meantime. A written opinion from the judge is expected to determine the next stage of the dispute, including whether Mahmood is eligible to take office if the revised count stands.
