Midterm election is days away

Voter turnout was low for Tuesday’s primary election, but that’s typical for primaries, especially when there no local offices or local proposals on the ballot. Hamtramck’s State Rep. Abraham Aiyash was re-elected, thanks to a sizeable number of Hamtramck votes.

By Charles Sercombe
Next Tuesday, Nov. 8, is the big day.
That’s when Americans go to their local polls to vote in the midterm election.
It’s also the day when we all decide whether Democrats keep control of Congress, or whether Republicans claim a majority in one or both Congressional chambers.
This election is known as a “midterm” because it marks the halfway point of a newly-elected president’s four-year term.
In Michigan, there are three state ballot proposals. Here’s a recap of what they propose:
Proposal 22-1 would “amend the state constitution to require annual public financial disclosure reports by legislators and other state officers and change state legislator term limits to 12 total years in legislature.”
Proposal 22-2 would “amend the state constitution to add provisions regarding elections.”
Proposal 22-3 would “amend the state constitution to establish new individual right to reproductive freedom, including right to make all decisions about pregnancy and abortion; allow state to regulate abortion in some cases; and forbid prosecution of individuals exercising established right.”
Besides voting on state and county races, Hamtramck voters will decide who fills two full-term positions on the Hamtramck School Board. There are three candidates vying for those two seats, and they are:
Abdulmalik Mohamed Algahaim, Victor Davantae Farris and Gamal Alturki, who is running as a write-in candidate.
Current boardmember Mortadha Ali-Mudhaffar Obaid is running unopposed for a partial-term position.
State ballot Proposal 3 has garnered heated debate over whether women should have the right to get an abortion. Many voters of the Muslim faith are advocating voters to reject that proposal.
According to national and statewide polls, a majority of Americans and Michigan residents support women being able to get an abortion.
The issue has had some of the Muslim faith here in Hamtramck saying they will vote Republican because that party opposes abortion.
Hamtramck City Councilmember Adam Albarmaki initially announced on Facebook he would vote Republican because of the abortion issue, but he walked that statement back when he faced criticism.
He now won’t say how he will vote.
Hamtramck has long been a Democratic stronghold.
Hamtramck Mayor Ameer Ghalib has sort of waded into that debate, saying on his Facebook page:
“I notice an unprecedented mass coup against the Democratic Party among minorities in Mashjen, possibly resulting in a mid-election setback.”
The Review asked him whether he is also voting for the Republican party.
He said, “I’m a Democrat, but I’m a leader, not a follower. I agree with some policies, and I disagree with some others.”
Asked if he supports Proposal 3, he declined to take a side publicly.
“I won’t comment on anything else to minimize the division within our community.”
Former Mayor Karen Majewski, who lost her bid for re-election last year to Ghalib, has been outspoken on her Facebook page in support of abortion.
She is also a supporter of Democratic candidates.
The Review also reached out to state Rep. Abraham Aiyash (D), a Hamtramck resident who is seeking re-election in a district that includes Hamtramck, as to what his position is on abortion, but he did not respond.
As for the school board race, Ghalib said he supports the following candidates: Alturki (the write-in candidate), Algahaim and Obaid.
For those who wish to vote by absentee ballot, there is still time to get one. AV (absentee voter) ballots are available at the city clerk’s office in city hall.
Those who already have one but have not sent it back, at this point, it’s being advised to hand deliver the ballot to city hall in order to prevent a delay from mailing it.
As of Tuesday, 1,969 AV ballots have been issued in Hamtramck, with 859 already returned, according to the Michigan Secretary of State office.
Statewide, there is a record number of people voting by absentee ballot.
For those who have not registered to vote, there is still time to do so – even on election day. At this point, the best way to register is to go to the city clerk’s office in city hall. You’ll need proof of residency to vote in Hamtramck.
Polls open at 7 a.m. on election day, and close at 8 p.m.
Published Nov. 4, 2022