AUGUST 11, 2011

Naturalization ceremonies to be held in Grand Rapids

Secretary of State Ruth Johnson will offer new citizens the opportunity to register to vote after two naturalization ceremonies in Grand Rapids.

The ceremonies are Wednesday, Aug. 17 at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. at the Gerald R. Ford Museum, 303 Pearl St. N.W. About 80 participants are expected at each ceremony.

"I'm very pleased this opportunity is made available to our newest citizens immediately after the ceremony," Johnson said. "Registering to vote is the perfect final step to a great day."

Johnson serves as Michigan's chief election officer and she will have a voter registration table on site for the convenience of the newly sworn citizens. People also may register to vote at their local clerk's office, a Secretary of State branch office or by mail.

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

For information about branch office locations and additional services, visit the Secretary of State website (www.Michigan.gov/sos) and sign up for official Secretary of State Twitter feeds (www.twitter.com/Michsos) and Facebook updates (www.facebook.com/Michigansos).

Customers also may call the Department of State Information Center to speak to a customer-service representative at (888) SOS-MICH (767-6424).

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For media questions, please call Tracy Ward at (517) 373-2520.