Wayne County clerk Cathy Garrett says Congressman John Conyers of Detroit did not collect enough signatures to be placed on the August 5 primary ballot.
Garrett says her office investigated the Democrat's petitions. She says only 592 of the necessary 1000 signatures are valid. Many others were disqualified because the people collecting the signatures were not registered voters.
But Conyers says he's optimistic the courts will rule he should be on the August ballot. He says he has not ruled out a write-in campaign. Conyers wants to stay in Congress to improve employment and health care.
"And there are other major considerations that, to me, is work unfinished, that I wouldn't want to be leaving to anyone who hasn't compiled the experience and track record that I have," Conyers said.
The ACLU is also suing on behalf of the petition signature collectors.
Conyers has served in Congress since 1965.
