JULY 15, 2009

Approximately 160 new citizens to be sworn in

Representatives of Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land will offer new citizens the opportunity to register to vote during naturalization ceremonies in Grand Rapids.

The ceremonies are Tuesday, July 21 at 1:30 p.m. and Wednesday, July 22 at 10 a.m. at the Gerald R. Ford Museum, 303 Pearl St. N.W. Approximately 80 people are expected to participate in each event.

"Our new countrymen have worked hard to get to this point," Land said. "Now they have a chance to participate in our democracy by registering to vote and then going to the polls. I encourage everyone who is not yet registered to vote to do so."

Land, who also serves as Michigan's chief election officer, will have a voter registration table on site for the convenience of the newly sworn citizens. Land also promotes voter registration by sending the Mobile Branch Office to colleges and universities. People may also register to vote at their local clerk's office, a Secretary of State office or by mail.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Bureau, part of the Department of Homeland Security, is conducting the ceremonies.