AUGUST 12, 2008

Representatives of Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land will be on hand to offer voter registration to new U.S. citizens during naturalization ceremonies in Grand Rapids on Tuesday, Aug. 19 and Wednesday, Aug. 20.

The ceremonies are at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday and 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Gerald R. Ford Museum, 303 Pearl St. NW. Approximately 80 new Americans will take their citizenship oaths at each ceremony.

"I congratulate our newest citizens on their hard work and dedication," Land said. "Now they have an opportunity to impact the decisions made at every level of government. After all, your vote is your voice, and so I'm pleased to offer opportunities for all residents to register to vote so that their voices are heard on Election Day."

Land, who also serves as Michigan's chief election officer, will have a voter registration table at each naturalization ceremony. People may also register at their local clerk's office, a Secretary of State branch office or by mail.

The naturalization ceremony will be conducted by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Bureau, part of the Department of Homeland Security.