JULY 31, 2008

The National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) concluded a successful conference in Grand Rapids on Monday, Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land said, during which attendees collaborated on policy issues and enjoyed a great stretch of Michigan summer weather.

Land said the conference, which began on July 24 and was held at the Amway Grand Plaza, is estimated to have pumped more than $1 million into the state's economy. Approximately 400 people attended, including more than 30 of her fellow secretaries of state, to discuss issues including election administration, business services, electronic government and state-federal relations.

"There were some excellent ideas presented at this conference, particularly regarding elections," Land said. "Leaders from across the nation shared their best practices with each other on voter registration, election preparedness and other topics and mutually focused on improving the process for all voters."

The NASS membership voted to move forward on its rotating regional presidential primary plan, which would divide the nation into four geographic regions for holding primaries from March through June, with a new region voting first each election. The regional votes would follow the traditional contests in Iowa and New Hampshire, which would keep their first-in-the-nation status to give lesser-known and underfunded candidates the chance to compete.

"The time is right to change the way we hold presidential primaries," Land said.

"The NASS plan spreads the primary process over four months and ensures that voters and candidates have time to get to know one another. It's a better plan for our nation."

At the conference, Land welcomed the new NASS president, Pennsylvania Secretary of State Pedro Cortés, and thanked the outgoing president, Indiana Secretary of State Todd Rokita, for his outstanding efforts.

Land also offered her appreciation to all the individuals and organizations who helped make the conference a memorable event for guests, including the Grand Rapids/Kent County Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, and all event sponsors, local election officials and conference volunteers.

"From the world class accommodations at the Amway, to the various fun activities conferees enjoyed in their down time, to the picture perfect sunny weather, West Michigan delivered a wonderful experience to our friends visiting from other states and I'm grateful," Land said.

NASS was founded in 1904 and is the oldest nonpartisan professional association for state government officials in the United States. Visit www.nass.org to learn more.

For more information on Michigan Department of State services go to www.Michigan.gov/sos.