US Rep. Conyers goes to court to get on August primary ballot; petitions ruled invalid

DETROIT – U.S. Rep. John Conyers is headed to court to try to get on the August primary ballot.

The Detroit Democrat has been in Congress since 1965, but his career is in jeopardy. The Wayne County clerk says some people who collected petition signatures weren't registered voters or listed the wrong address. As a result, Conyers doesn't have enough signatures because some petitions are spoiled.

There's a hearing Wednesday in Detroit federal court. Conyers and the American Civil Liberties Union are asking a federal judge to put him on the ballot and throw out a Michigan law that puts restrictions on petition circulators.

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The Michigan attorney general's office is defending the law. State attorneys say it's unfair to attack the law when others running for office had no trouble following it.

Documents related to the case:

• Michigan AG document on Conyers case
• Conyers status conference document
• Conyers request for injunction-restraining order