Candidates: being a resident is a requirement

By Charles Sercombe
City Clerk Rana Faraj has a stern warning to would-be candidates for mayor and city council.
And that warning is: Hamtramck has specific rules and requirements in order to qualify to be a candidate and hold office.
The first rule is: you have to be a resident of the city for at least one year prior to filing for office.
In recent years, the issue of candidates’ residencies has come under increased scrutiny.
There are some who claim that, while their families live in the suburbs, they live in Hamtramck.
Here are the requirements to run for office, as posted by the city clerk:
• I am a bona fide resident of the City of Hamtramck, Michigan, and have continuously and physically resided within the city limits for at least one (1) year immediately preceding the date of this affidavit.
• I affirm that Hamtramck is my actual, fixed, and principal home where I habitually sleep, keep my personal belongings, and conduct daily affairs.

• I do not claim residency at any other address outside of Hamtramck for any purpose, including tax filings, voter registration, or driver’s license records.

• I understand that merely owning or renting property in Hamtramck, staying occasionally, or using a Hamtramck address for official purposes does not qualify as residency under city or state law.

• I am a registered voter in the City of Hamtramck.

• I affirm that I have never been convicted of a felony under the laws of the State of Michigan, any other state, or the United States.

• I have no outstanding debts to the City of Hamtramck, including but not limited to taxes, assessments, business fees, or any other financial obligations. I also affirm that I do not owe any outstanding debts to the State of Michigan or Wayne County.

• I affirm that I am in compliance with all business licensing requirements for any business I own within the City of Hamtramck, and have not failed to obtain or renew any required business license.

• Make sure individual Hamtramck income taxes are up-to-date and paid.

• Make sure businesses or rental properties income taxes are up-to-date and paid.

• Make sure property taxes are up-to-date and paid.

• I understand that any false statement, misrepresentation, or concealment of material fact in this affidavit constitutes perjury, a felony offense punishable under Michigan law by imprisonment, fines, and permanent disqualification from holding public office.

The filing deadline to run for mayor and city council is April 22.
Posted March 28, 2025