© 2024 MICHIGAN PUBLIC
91.7 Ann Arbor/Detroit 104.1 Grand Rapids 91.3 Port Huron 89.7 Lansing 91.1 Flint
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Duggan survives attempt to get him kicked off Detroit ballot

mike duggan shaking a woman's hand
dugganfordetroit.com

Detroit mayoral candidate Mike Duggan has survived an opponent’s attempt to get him kicked off the ballot—for now.

The challenge from opponent Tom Barrow cited language in the new Detroit city charter—and questioned whether Duggan met residency criteria to run for mayor.

Duggan moved to Detroit from suburban Livonia and registered to vote in mid-April, 2012.

The revised city charter requires a candidate to have lived in the city for “at least one year at the time they file for office.”

Barrow says Duggan officially filed to run when he turned in his candidate petitions in early April, 2013—and that should make him ineligible.

But Duggan’s lawyers argued the charter language refers to the filing deadline, which was in mid-May--and that Duggan met that criteria.

Ultimately, that argument prevailed, and the Detroit election commission certified Duggan’s named on the August primary ballot by a 2-1 vote.

That means there are a total of 14 mayoral candidates on that primary ballot--even while the city has an emergency manager, Kevyn Orr.

Afterwards, Duggan—considered a front-runner--called the whole situation a distraction with obvious political motivations.

“There are some people in this race who don’t want to compete against me at the ballot box,” Duggan said.

However, might not be resolved quite yet. Barrow said he’ll consider taking the matter to Wayne County Circuit Court.

Sarah Cwiek joined Michigan Public in October 2009. As our Detroit reporter, she is helping us expand our coverage of the economy, politics, and culture in and around the city of Detroit.
Related Content