DEARBORN HEIGHTS — Both Mayor Bill Bazzi and Council Chairwoman Denise Malinowski-Maxwell have issued statements thanking residents for their support and getting them through to the general election in November.

“I am humbled and honored by the outpour of support from our Dearborn Heights residents on our collective lead,” Bazzi said. “The calls, messages and visits to my office have left me moved beyond words. It is for you and because of you that I am motivated and excited to continue serving as your mayor. On Jan. 26, the Council spoke by appointing me as mayor and on August 3, the residents spoke at the election polls. I am looking forward to moving on to the general elections on Nov. 2, with all of you by my side. Together, we will continue our diligent work to more our city forward, as we implement our plans for a greater Dearborn Heights. A heartfelt thank you to our tireless and dedicated volunteers of all ages throughout the city, who came out to support in multiple capacities.”

Malinowski-Maxwell also thanked her supporters and volunteers.

“I want to thank my supporters that submitted absentee ballots or voted in person at the polls,” she said. “I am grateful for the chance to continue my campaign and address the issues that our residents care about – flooding, public safety, transparency and good government. I cannot wait to get started and may the best person win.”

City Clerk Lynne Senia provided details showing how each candidate did on absentee ballots vs at the polls.

Bazzi had the most votes for both the partial mayoral term and full mayoral term. For the full term, Bazzi received 1,762 votes at the polls and 2,252 absentee votes, giving him 4,014 total and more than 63 percent of all votes cast.

Malinowski-Maxwell received the next highest number of votes, earning 409 at the polls and 1,271 absentee, giving her a total of 1,680 votes and a little more than 26 percent overall.

Denise Malinowski-Maxwell and her daughter Bethany Maxwell at a campaign event. Photo: Briana Gasorski/The Arab American News

Anthony Camilleri received 193 votes at the polls and 393 absentee, giving him 586 total votes for 9 percent of the votes cast.

For the partial term, Bazzi received 1,741 votes  at the polls and 2,263 absentee, giving him 4,004 votes overall and a little more than 65 percent of all votes cast.

Malinowski-Maxwell earned 388 votes at the polls and 1,182 absentee for a total of 1,570 votes and a little more than 25 percent of all votes.

Camilleri received 187 votes at the polls and 375 absentee, giving him 562 votes total and 9 percent overall.

With the only item on the ballot being the narrowing of the mayoral candidates down to two, voter turnout at the polls has been low so far.

There are three candidates on the ballot for mayor; incumbent mayor Bill Bazzi, City Council Chairwoman Denise Malinowski-Maxwell and local businessman Anthony Camilleri. More information for each candidate can be found by searching the candidate’s name on arabamericannews.com.

The city clerk’s office told The Arab American News that while the precincts have been slow this morning, the clerk’s office has had many people come through to register to vote, adding to the already approximately 44,784 registered voters in the city.

Clerk Lynne Senia told The Arab American News that while results aren’t expected until late tonight, with the polls closing at 8 p.m., the city issued 4,817 absentee ballots and received 3,813 back so far.

Voting precinct information can be found on the city’s website at www.ci.dearborn-heights.mi.us/residents/elections/.