News Release: MCC Launches 2006 Election Information Web Page

(LANSING)—Voter education surveys, candidate profiles, ballot proposal information and voter registration links are now available on Michigan Catholic Conference’s 2006 Election Information web page. The page has been created in an effort to help educate Catholic voters on the many candidates and proposals that will appear on the November 7^th general election ballot.

“Catholic voters now have at their fingertips a ‘one stop shop’ for information related to this November’s election,” said MCC Communications Director Dave Maluchnik. “Whether the voter is interested in learning about local and statewide candidates, or is seeking information related to a proposal that will appear on this November’s ballot, the 2006 Election Information page can be a very helpful tool.”

This year’s general election promises to be a defining one in Michigan as every state level office is up for election; including the governor’s office, attorney general and secretary of state, every state House of Representative, state Senate and U.S. House seat, and one of the two U.S. Senate seats. November’s ballot will also include proposals that address education, civil rights and environmental issues. Five ballot proposals have already been certified for the election while at least one other is attempting to solidify a position. Michigan Catholic Conference is playing an active role by opposing one proposal that seeks to eliminate affirmative action programs in the state.

“After a thorough analysis of the proposal, the Michigan Catholic Conference Board of Directors has determined that Proposal 2 is unjust and bad public policy for the state of Michigan and threatens to roll back years of progress in the civil rights arena,” said Maluchnik. “In the coming months the Conference will work to educate Catholic voters on the history and purpose of affirmative action programs and how they are helping women and minorities close the many gaps that exist in today’s society.”

Along with information related to ballot proposals the 2006 Election Information page also includes voter education surveys, which give Catholic voters the opportunity to read candidate positions on several important public policy issues. Voter education surveys will be broken down by diocese once candidate answers are received and published. Also included on the page is an on-line candidate locator, which allows users to find and learn more about local and statewide candidates simply by entering a home address.

The 2006 Election Information page is located on the Conference’s web site at www.micatholic.org

Michigan Catholic Conference is the official public policy voice of the Catholic Church in this state.

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