Change in election law pushes up deadline for candidates to file

Attention Hamtramck City Councilmember wannabes: Better hurry up and register as a candidate if you want to be a part of this year’s election. The deadline to register is April 21, which is less than two weeks away. There are three seats on council up for election.

By Charles Sercombe
Thinking of running for city council this year?
If so, you have less than two weeks to file to be on the August Primary ballot. The deadline to file for one of three council seats is Tuesday, April 21.
To qualify, you must be a registered voter and a resident of the city. You must also either pay a $100 filing fee or turn in a nominating petition with at least 40 signatures of Hamtramck voters, but no more that 100 valid signatures.
If the filing date seems earlier than usual, that’s because state legislators recently passed a law bumping up the date by a few weeks.
If no more than six candidates sign up for the election there will be no need to hold a primary election in August. The primary whittles down the number of candidates to two per seat.
The runoff then happens in the November General Election.
The councilmembers affected by the upcoming election are Anam Miah, Robert Zwolak and Abu Musa.
Councilmembers Zwolak and Musa say they are seeking re-election. Councilmember Miah could not be reached for comment.
If past elections are any indication, there will likely be a number of candidates running this year. Former councilmember Cathie Gordon has already made it known she plans to run.
Previously, Gordon opted to challenge Mayor Karen Majewski instead of seeking another term on council. She came in fourth place out of four candidates in that election.
No matter who wins this time around, there is little political power for city officials. The long arm of the state is pretty much in control of the city, which emerged from a financial emergency about three months ago.
The former emergency manager left behind a set of directives that leaves all management power in the hands of the city manager and the state Transition Advisory Board.
It’s not known how long the state advisory board will remain in control of financial spending.
The role of mayor and council has been relegated to that of ceremonial duties. That position has rubbed some councilmembers the wrong way, but so far none have challenged the final directives.
In other election news, there will be a state ballot issue for voters to decide on May 5. The state is proposing to raise the sales tax to raise money for needed road repairs.
While some communities have piggybacked on that special election to hold their own proposals, Hamtramck has nothing else on the ballot.
According to various polls, the road repair tax is being overwhelmingly rejected by voters despite the support of Gov. Rick Snyder.