Opportunity to register to vote comes for new citizens after naturalization ceremonies

Feb. 13, 2012

160 participants expected at February events
 

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Michigan Secretary of State representatives will offer new citizens the opportunity to register to vote after two naturalization ceremonies in Grand Rapids on Feb. 15, Secretary of State Ruth Johnson announced today.

Wednesday's ceremonies will be at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Both events will be held at the Gerald R. Ford Museum, 303 Pearl St. N.W. About 80 participants are expected at each ceremony.

"I cannot understate the importance of taking the time to register to vote," Johnson said. "Our newest citizens have worked hard to get to this point. I would encourage them to register so they can celebrate their freedom and have their voices heard on Election Day."

As Michigan's chief elections officer, Johnson 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 office or by mail.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Bureau, part of the Department of Homeland Security, is conducting the ceremonies.

For more information about office locations and additional services, visit www.Michigan.gov/SOS. Sign up for the official Secretary of State Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/MichSOS and Facebook updates at 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).

###

For media questions, please call Gisgie Dávila Gendreau at 517-373-2520.