SEPTEMBER 22, 2008

Representatives of Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land will be on hand to offer voter registration to new U.S. citizens during a naturalization ceremony in Detroit on Friday, Sept. 26.

The ceremony is at 10 a.m. at Cobo Center, One Washington Blvd. Up to 1,000 new Americans are expected to take their citizenship oaths.

"This is a special moment for our new countrymen," Land said. "Now they can take part in the democratic process. I'm pleased to offer opportunities for all residents to register to vote so that they may cast ballots in upcoming elections, including November's presidential election."

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.