When Michigan voters head to the polls in November, the ballot will be anything but boring.
Convicted killer Jack Kevorkian has collected enough signatures to appear on the ballot as an independent for the 9th U.S. Congressional District, The Associated Press reported.
A measure to expand unethical embryonic stem-cell research in Michigan also appears headed to the ballot.
Kevorkian, 80, was convicted of second-degree murder in 1998 and served eight years in prison for the death of Thomas Youk, which was shown on CBS News. He claims to have helped kill 130 people. He will face incumbent Republican Joe Knollenberg and Democrat Gary Peters.
"With all the attention the presidential election gets, it's easy to overlook the fact that this is also a critical election year in the states," said Mona Passignano, state issues analyst at Focus on the Family Action. "Between ballot initiatives and candidate races — both state and federal — there are many factors that voters need to be aware of before they vote."
The Stem Cell Research Ballot Question Committee said it has turned in more than 570,000 signatures; 380,000 are required.
The Michigan Catholic Conference and Right to Life of Michigan oppose the proposal, which would loosen restrictions on embryonic stem-cell research.
"We should pursue more ethical means of research, other than experimentation on human embryos," said Brad Snavely, executive director of the Michigan Family Forum. "We will reach out and educate the voters of Michigan so they clearly know what it is they’re voting on."
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Visit the Michigan Family Forum Web site.
At Values Voter Summit 2008, family advocates will hear from leaders in the pro-family and pro-life movement.
Turn Signal offers more details on the summit.
