How Michigan City Councilman Was Caught on Camera Stuffing Election Drop-Box with Absentee Ballots Days Before Primary (Video)

Election integrity has once again come under scrutiny in Michigan after a Hamtramck City Council member, Abu Musa, was caught on camera allegedly stuffing an election drop-box with absentee ballots just days before his primary re-election victory. The shocking footage, which surfaced ahead of the Aug. 5 primary election, has raised serious concerns about voter fraud, absentee ballot manipulation, and the security of America’s election system.

This incident comes at a time when the debate over mail-in ballots, absentee voting, and election integrity is dominating both state and national politics. The controversy could have long-lasting implications for Michigan’s upcoming elections and the broader trust Americans place in their democratic institutions.

The Incident: Abu Musa and the Ballot Drop-Box Video

On August 1, 2025, just four days before Hamtramck’s city primary election, security footage obtained by Local 4 News appeared to show Councilman Abu Musa inside a car, handing stacks of paper to the driver, who then placed them directly into an election drop-box.

The timing of the video is particularly damning. Only days later, on August 5, Musa secured his re-election to the Hamtramck City Council.

Musa received 1,129 total votes in the primary election.

Only 286 of those votes were cast in person on election day.

A staggering 843 votes came through absentee ballots — the very ballots now at the center of controversy.

Without the absentee votes, Musa would have placed fifth and lost his re-election bid. Instead, thanks largely to absentee ballots, he managed to stay in office.

The footage has sparked outrage among Hamtramck residents, election officials, and watchdog groups who have long warned about vulnerabilities in mail-in and absentee ballot systems.

Election Fraud Concerns in Hamtramck

This is not the first time Hamtramck, a small but politically diverse city in Michigan, has faced allegations of election fraud.

In 2023, two other Hamtramck council members were arraigned on election fraud charges after a city clerk noticed that large bundles of absentee ballots were being dropped off with handwriting that appeared suspiciously similar across different ballots.

That investigation also raised questions about whether Councilman Abu Musa himself was involved, but at the time, he was not charged.

Now, with the release of new footage, Musa’s role is back under intense scrutiny.

Residency Allegations

Complicating matters further, Musa is also at the center of another investigation regarding his residency status. Michigan state law requires that city council members must reside in the city they serve, yet some have accused Musa of not actually living in Hamtramck.

He has denied those allegations, but the residency question combined with ballot fraud concerns has intensified calls for accountability.

Michigan’s Absentee Ballot Debate

The state of Michigan has become a battleground for debates over absentee ballots and mail-in voting.

In 2018, Michigan voters approved a constitutional amendment allowing no-excuse absentee voting, meaning that any voter can request and submit an absentee ballot without providing a specific reason.

In 2020, during the pandemic, the use of absentee ballots skyrocketed across the state. Nearly half of all votes in Michigan’s 2020 presidential election were absentee or mail-in ballots.

While absentee voting provides convenience and accessibility, critics argue it creates opportunities for fraud, ballot harvesting, and vote manipulation.

The Musa incident has reignited these debates, especially because:

He won 74% of his votes via absentee ballots.

The alleged ballot-stuffing video directly implicates him in manipulating the absentee voting process.

What the Video Shows

The newly surfaced footage was part of an ongoing Michigan State Police investigation into Hamtramck election practices.

The video reportedly shows:

Musa seated in the passenger seat of a car on August 1.

Musa handing stacks of paper (believed to be absentee ballots) to the driver.

The driver then placing those papers into an election drop-box nearby.

Michigan State Police have confirmed the footage is authentic and linked to their broader investigation into election fraud in Hamtramck.

Election Results Under Scrutiny

The absentee-heavy results in Musa’s re-election have raised eyebrows:

843 absentee ballots (74%) compared to just 286 in-person ballots (26%).

Without absentee ballots, Musa would have ranked fifth out of 12 candidates, effectively losing his seat.

This imbalance has led critics to allege that the stuffed absentee ballots directly determined the election outcome.

Reaction from Michigan Officials

Election officials, watchdogs, and local politicians have voiced concerns following the release of the video.

Election Integrity Advocates: They argue this incident proves why absentee ballots need stricter regulation and monitoring.

Michigan State Police: Confirmed the video was obtained during their investigation but have not yet announced formal charges against Musa.

Hamtramck Residents: Many residents are outraged, calling for Musa’s resignation pending investigation results.

The case is also drawing national attention, as Michigan is a critical swing state in U.S. elections.

Broader Implications for U.S. Elections

The Musa ballot-stuffing scandal comes amid heightened national debates about election security, voter fraud, and absentee voting.

1. Election Integrity in Swing States

Michigan is one of the most important swing states in U.S. politics. Any election controversy in Michigan reverberates nationally, influencing narratives about fraud and voter suppression.

2. Absentee Voting Vulnerabilities

Incidents like this fuel concerns about absentee voting, especially when ballot drop-boxes are unsupervised and can be exploited for ballot harvesting.

3. Trust in Local Government

Local elections are supposed to be the foundation of democracy. When city council races are marred by fraud allegations, public trust erodes not only in Hamtramck but across the U.S.

4. Legal and Political Fallout

If Musa is charged or removed from office, it could trigger legal reforms in Michigan’s absentee ballot laws, potentially making them stricter ahead of future elections.

History of Election Fraud in Michigan

Michigan has a long history of election controversies:

2020 Presidential Election: Michigan was at the center of election fraud allegations, particularly in Detroit, though multiple audits upheld the integrity of the results.

Hamtramck 2023: As mentioned earlier, absentee ballot irregularities led to charges against two council members.

Flint 2012: Election workers were charged with altering absentee ballot records.

These recurring scandals suggest systemic weaknesses in how absentee ballots are handled across the state.

What Comes Next?

The investigation into Abu Musa is ongoing. Potential outcomes include:

Criminal Charges: If prosecutors find sufficient evidence of ballot-stuffing, Musa could face election fraud charges.

Removal from Office: If residency allegations are proven, Musa could be disqualified from serving on Hamtramck’s city council.

Policy Changes: Michigan lawmakers may push for new regulations on absentee ballots and ballot drop-boxes.

Calls for Reform

Election experts and watchdog groups are already proposing reforms in response to this scandal:

Secure Ballot Drop-Boxes: Installing surveillance cameras and requiring real-time monitoring.

Chain of Custody Rules: Ensuring every absentee ballot has a verifiable delivery trail.

Residency Verification: Stronger enforcement of residency requirements for candidates.

Severe Penalties for Fraud: Increasing jail time and fines for those convicted of ballot tampering.

Conclusion: Why This Story Matters

The case of Abu Musa, the Michigan city councilman caught stuffing a ballot drop-box with absentee ballots, is more than just a local scandal. It highlights the fragility of election integrity in America’s democratic system.

With absentee ballots playing an increasingly important role in U.S. elections, especially in swing states like Michigan, ensuring their security is paramount.

As investigations continue, one thing is clear: public trust in elections depends on transparency, accountability, and strict enforcement of election laws. Without it, the legitimacy of democratic institutions is at risk.