A day that will go down in history

By Charles Sercombe
Just in case you’re living under a rock, there are four days until the Nov. 5 election.
That’s next Tuesday.
Many political observers are saying this is one of the most consequential elections in the country’s history. The Democratic presidential nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris, and her Republican opponent, former President Donald Trump, offer polar opposite views and agendas.
In other words, the country is deeply divided.
Also on the line is which political party will control congress, or at least one of the two legislative bodies.
In Hamtramck, it looks like history will be made. The city was once a Democratic Party stronghold, which has been ongoing for several decades, but will now likely turn Republican.
Mayor Amer Ghalib, an immigrant from Yemen and a Muslim, and three city councilmembers, Khalil Refai, Muhtasin Sadman and Abu Musa are throwing their support behind Trump.
Ghalib’s decision to endorse Trump made national and international news. Because of that endorsement, Trump visited a campaign office for him located here on Jos. Campau.
Ghalib has met with Trump at rallies in Michigan.
In the past, Arab Muslim citizens in the country were largely supportive of Democrats, but that bond was fractured when the Biden administration continued to support Israel and its war on Gaza.
That war, which was instigated by Hamas fighters last October, has resulted in over 40,000 Palestinians losing their lives.
However, Trump is also supportive of Israel and told CNN that he encouraged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to “finish the job” in Gaza.
This alliance begs the question: if Gaza is a key issue for Muslims about Democrats, and yet Republicans are just as supportive, why align with Trump?
The answer over the switch in alliance increasingly becomes clearer: It’s about LGBTQ rights, transgender folks, and books about sexuality in schools.
Ghalib posted on his Facebook page a telling comment about what Trump said at a recent campaign rally:
“During the speech, he also mentioned that he will end the war in Ukraine and the chaos in the Middle East, defend the rights of all religions and races, preserve family values, ban transgenderism in schools, separate men and women in sports and other issues that concern our society.”

This is a cultural/political shift that will no doubt have historians writing about for many years.
As for voter turnout, expect it to be heavy.
Early voting nationwide has been off the charts.
So far, over 50 million Americans have already voted. In the 2020 presidential election about 150 million people voted.
Hamtramck residents are also turning out early to vote.
As of Monday, 108 residents voted early during the weekend, the first weekend you could vote early, in-person. By contrast, 50 voters came out early in the August primary election.
Also as of Monday, 1,303 absentee ballots were returned in Hamtramck, with a total of 3,200 mailed out.
Statewide, about 145,000 voters have already cast their ballots.
For those who vote on Tuesday, there could be challengers on hand. Both major political parties have registered with the county. Also, challengers from the following political parties could be at the polls: Libertarian Party, US Taxpayers Party, Green Party, Working Class Party and Natural Law Party.
Several other groups and organizations have also registered as challengers.
Although all these groups have registered, that doesn’t mean they will all be at Hamtramck precincts.
Hamtramck polling stations are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday.
Not registered to vote yet?
If you are at least 18 years old on Tuesday, and live in Hamtramck, you can still register here in Hamtramck and participate in the election.
Posted Nov. 1, 2024