City Hall surveillance recording exposes more suspected ballot stuffing

A city hall surveillance camera recording captured several people who were dropping off handfuls of absentee ballots before the August Primary Election. No one has been charged with violating election law, but the state police are reportedly investigating the matter. Photo: Facebook

By Charles Sercombe
Hamtramck’s ballot drop box, located across from city hall, had a number of repeat visitors in the days leading up to the August Primary Election.
Once again, surveillance recordings of people dropping off wads of absentee ballots have been posted on social media.
The seven-minute recording, distilled from hundreds of hours of surveillance recordings, shows a number of people returning to the drop box at all times of the day – but, especially, at night.
And, once again, City Councilmember Abu Musa, who is seeking re-election in November’s election, is seen sitting in a passenger seat and handing ballots to a driver.
In another incident, an unidentified male is seen struggling to stuff thick handfuls of ballots into the drop box.
Perhaps it’s no surprise that Musa turned out to be the highest vote-getter in the election, with former Councilmember Nayeem Choudhury coming in a close second.
Both finished far ahead of the 10 other candidates.
When we asked about a prior surveillance recording showing Musa handling absentee ballots that had been released by the city through Freedom of Information Act requests, Musa denied he was the one placing the ballots into the drop box, and then abruptly said he would call back later to explain more.
He never called back.
After the election, Musa had this to say about the election results:
“Thank you, Hamtramck for believing in me once again. Let’s keep moving forward, united!”
Musa has not been charged with any election law violations stemming from the primary, but the state police are investigating the surveillance recordings of him, according to sources.
Musa is also being investigated for not being a resident. Residency is a requirement to hold public office – and vote — in Hamtramck. Councilmember Muhith Mahmood is likewise being investigated for not being a resident.
Both have denied being non-residents, but both have also admitted that their families live in the suburbs.
Musa’s wife and children live in Warren, and Mahmood’s wife and children live in Troy.
As usual, people on social media had something to say about the recordings.
“It’s terrible what’s happening in Hamtramck, people who cheat are elected to high positions in the city, I’m teaching my grandchildren to be decent people, not to lie, how can I explain it to them?” said Malgorzata Sokolowska.
Former resident Michael Rehfus said the recordings serve to play into unfounded accusations over the widespread use of absentee ballots being used to throw an election.
“To these assh*les I say (sarcastically, Internet): thanks for giving truth to Trump’s lies about widespread absentee voter fraud,” Rehfus said.
And former resident Nancy Jaroslawski Erickson said that it reinforces “one more reason among many that I no longer live in Hamtramck.”
Posted Sept. 19, 2025