Group makes case for ward-based system on Dearborn City Council
Dearborn — Proponents of a measure to change Dearborn's City Council structure from an at-large system to mainly ward-based representation say it would give people of color, working-class residents and immigrant populations on the city's east and south parts of town more representation on council.
Speaking at a town hall meeting Thursday at Salina Intermediate School, the group pushing the change, Dearborn Wants Wards, contends the current at-large system has led to neglect by city leaders over generations in the form of heavy industrialization, crumbling roads, potholes and spotty city services such as trash and leaf pickup. They say there also has been disproportionate representation on council from the city's west side.
Voters will decide Nov. 4 on a measure to change to at-large system to mainly ward-based representation.
The changes would "make it more accessible to people who may have been qualified to run in the past, but didn't have the money to run a citywide race," said Mona Mawari, the lead organizer for Dearborn Wants Wards, at the town hall.
https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/wayne-county/2025/10/17/proponents-opposition-make-cases-in-dearborn-wards-proposal/86745837007/