U.S. Election Day unfolds smoothly, so far defying fears of disruption
November 3rd, 20200 DETROIT/ATLANTA — Americans by the millions waited patiently to cast ballots at libraries, schools and arenas across the country on Tuesday, in an orderly show of civic duty that belied the deep tensions of one of the most polarizing presidential campaigns in U.S. history. The face masks worn by many voters and the sight of...
Michigan officials promise safe, clean and accessible polling places on Tuesday
November 2nd, 20200 MICHIGAN — As clerks, election workers and municipal governments brace for Election Day, Michigan officials are now ensuring that polling places will be safe, clean and accessible. Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said on Monday that election workers were taking precautions and are well equipped with masks, gloves,...
Polarized electorate, mail-in ballots could spark post-election legal “fight of our lives”
November 2nd, 20200 WILMINGTON, DEL — U.S. Election Day on Tuesday has all the ingredients for a drawn-out court battle over its outcome: A highly polarized electorate, a record number of mail-in ballots and some Supreme Court justices who appear ready to step in if there is a closely contested presidential race. The only missing element that would...
Poll shows Arab American voters favor Biden in 2020 presidential election
October 31st, 20200 WASHINGTON, D.C. — A poll conducted by the Arab American Institute (AAI) in Washington, D.C. shows that Arab American voters prefer Joe Biden over incumbent Donald Trump for the upcoming Nov. 3 presidential election. The Yalla Vote Tracking Poll, released earlier this week, shows that a majority of likely Arab American voters...
Our endorsements: Vote for Biden, but hold him responsible
October 30th, 20200 Donald Trump has given Arab Americans no real choice in this election. Since the launch of his political career in 2015, he has denigrated and harmed Arabs and Muslims at every turn. He said, "Islam hates us." He proposed a "complete and total shutdown" on Muslims entering the country. Then, in his first week in office, he signed an...
Record-breaking early voting in U.S. election tops 80 million
October 29th, 20200 WASHINGTON, D.C. — More than 80 million Americans have cast ballots in the U.S. presidential election, according to a tally on Thursday from the U.S. Elections Project at the University of Florida, setting the stage for the highest participation rate in more than a century. The record-breaking pace, more than 58 percent of the total...
Viability of Arab American candidates, like Brian Mosallam, shows importance of the Arab vote
October 27th, 20200 MICHIGAN — Michigan could be the most important swing state in the country. And the Arab American vote could make the difference. Though Metro Detroit has its large concentration, Arab Americans have been an integral part of the historic and cultural fabric of the entire country. More so, Arab Americans enjoy a variety of...
U.S. early voting tops 60 million as historic pace continues
October 26th, 20200 WASHINGTON, D.C. — More than 60 million Americans have cast ballots in the U.S. presidential election with eight days to go, a record-breaking pace that could lead to the highest voter turnout in over a century, according to data from the U.S. Elections Project on Monday. The tally is the latest sign of intense interest in the...
Arab American votes can make a difference in this election
October 23rd, 20200 With less than two weeks left in this election season, by now many in our communities have already cast their vote. According to the Michigan Secretary of State’s office, more than 1.5 million Michiganders have already turned their absentee ballots in. That is phenomenal news. We have been working diligently to ensure that all...
Senator Sanders endorses Brian Mosallam for MSU trustee
October 22nd, 20200 LANSING — Michigan State University (MSU) Trustee Brian Mosallam has been endorsed by progressive Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders for his 2020 re-election bid. Mosallam has been on the Board of Trustees since January 2013. He announced his reelection campaign in June, saying that he had decided to run after “careful...
D7 School Board candidates discuss their plans if elected
October 17th, 20200 DEARBORN HEIGHTS — With elections right around the corner, candidates for Dearborn Heights’ District 7 Board of Education discussed their goals if they were to be elected. Incumbent Board Member Mandy Diroff, who could not be reached for comment, is seeking another four-year term and is competing against newcomers Latanya Gater,...
Khizr Khan, father of a slain U.S. soldier, backs Democratic party again ahead of November election
October 16th, 20200 DEARBORN — Khizr Khan, the Muslim American parent of a slain U.S. army captain who rose to prominence in 2016 while campaigning for Hillary Clinton and calling out then-candidate Donald Trump for his anti-immigrant stance, is back in the pre-election fold. Khan, who is Pakistani, is again criticizing President Trump, this time for...
Your vote is your voice, don’t be silent
October 15th, 20200 By Edgar L. Vann A paraphrased quote attributed to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. says, “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” The current zeitgeist has cast a pall of perplexing uncertainty for many over the status of the soul of this nation. It is a seismic moment of truth for us all. The malaise...
Nearly 1 million ballots cast in Michigan; voters can check status online
October 14th, 20200 LANSING — Three weeks out from the Nov. 3 election, nearly 1 million citizens have already returned absentee ballots, and more than 2.8 million have requested them, according to the Michigan Department of State (MDOS). A breakdown by jurisdiction of this week’s absentee ballot data is available here. “Michigan citizens can be...
Candidates running for Dearborn School Board address their ideas if elected
October 11th, 20200 DEARBORN — 10 out of 12 candidates vying for one two-year-term and three six-year-terms seats for Dearborn School Board discussed their plans if elected. Candidates Nofila Haider and Batoul Biaz declined to respond. The Arab American News asked each candidate the following questions: What issues are of priority to you? What......
AG brings felony charges against two men for intimidating voters through robocalls
October 8th, 20200 DETROIT — On Thursday, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced the arrest and arraignment of two men who attempted to intimidate voters through robocalls. The two men, Jack Burkman, 54, of Arlington, Virginia and Jacob Wohl, 22, of Los Angeles, are charged with felony intimidating voters, conspiracy to commit an election law...
Council members running for treasurer position respond to campaign material and social media posts from their opponents
October 3rd, 20200 DEARBORN HEIGHTS — Two City Council members who are going head-to-head to become the city's next treasurer have turned to Facebook as a means of campaigning. Councilman Bob Constan and Councilwoman Lisa Hicks-Clayton are both on the ballot this November to replace former Treasurer John Riley. Riley retired in May and the City......
Crestwood Board of Education candidates discuss their plans if elected
October 3rd, 20200 DEARBORN HEIGHTS — Five candidates — two incumbents and three newcomers — are competing for two available six-year-term seats on the Crestwood Board of Education. Sue Kaminsky has been a member of the school board for five and a half years and has lived in the Crestwood District since 1991. “My kids went to school...
Who is responsible for the confusion over candidates on the Dearborn School Board ballot?
September 26th, 20200 DEARBORN — In a letter dated Sept. 17, City Clerk George Darany notified residents of incorrect information being on the ballots, two months after the filing deadline. In the unofficial list provided by the clerk’s office on July 24, the candidates for the two-year seats were listed as Albert Abbas, Patrick D’Ambrosio and...
AAPAC endorses candidates for the November election, supports Biden for president
September 26th, 20201 DEARBORN — On Thursday, members of the Arab American Political Action Committee (AAPAC) voted on several endorsements for various national and local candidates. Formed in 1998 by a group of Arab American professionals, AAPAC is a non-partisan political organization that encourages Arab American participation in the political...
Early voting begins in Michigan as absentee ballots get mailed out on Thursday
September 24th, 20200 LANSING — On Thursday, election clerks the state opened their offices for early voting. Local clerks also mailed out ballots to residents who have requested them. Today marks the 40th day before the Nov. 3 election, when clerks are required by the state constitution to open up for early voting. The state says more than 2.39......
Benson confident in state’s election integrity, urges early voting
September 16th, 20200 LANSING — Governor Whitmer took time to discuss the upcoming Nov. 3 general elections at her weekly COVID-19 live address from Lansing on Wednesday. Joining her were the state’s health chief, Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, and Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. Benson appeared confident in the state’s ability to get through a...
Majority of voters say no to Hamtramck School District’s bond proposal
August 5th, 20202 HAMTRAMCK — The Hamtramck School District lost out on a proposal on Tuesday that could have meant the construction of a new elementary school and other infrastructural projects by levying seven mills in property taxes. The proposal had meant to modernize the district and make learning equitable by getting rid of temporary......
Primary Election 2020: Big victories in Wayne County for Tlaib, Worthy, Aiyash
August 5th, 20200 DEARBORN — Unofficial election results out of Wayne County for the Aug. 4 primaries show victories for Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy; U.S. Reps. Rashida Tlaib (D-Detroit) and Debbie Dingell (D-Dearborn); Wayne County Treasurer Eric Sabree; Wayne Commissioners Sam Baydoun, Al Haidous and David Knezek; State Rep. candidate...
Tlaib’s opponent Brenda Jones gets support from pro-Modi Indian nationalists, Detroit’s big money construction
August 3rd, 20200 DETROIT — In the congressional race between popular Detroit congresswoman Rashida Tlaib and her Democratic primary opponent, Brenda Jones, powerful interests have backed Jones' campaign, records reveal. Representing one of these interests is an influx of supporters of Indian nationalist Prime Minister, and friend of President......
