SOS Express News from Secretary of State Ruth Johnson

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Donor registry tops 4 million!

life walk

Secretary, organ donation supporters celebrate at LIFE Walk on Belle Isle

Secretary of State Ruth Johnson has announced that the Michigan Organ Donor Registry now stands at more than 4 million people willing to be organ, tissue and eye donors, bringing the statewide total of donor registrants to 52 percent of adults.

She broke the news July 25 to a thousand walkers and runners on Detroit’s Belle Isle at the 18th annual LIFE Walk, sponsored by Gift of Life Michigan’s Minority Organ, Tissue Transplant Education Program. The program is dedicated to reducing the need for organ and tissue transplants among ethnic and minority populations, who make up nearly 50 percent of patients waiting for a transplant.

“This is wonderful news for Michigan because organ, tissue and eye donation saves and improves lives,” Johnson said. “Add your name to the donor registry and become a hero. Every name on the list means hope for the 3,500 people in Michigan waiting for a life-saving or life-enhancing transplant.”

Since 2011, Michigan’s organ donor enrollment ranking has jumped from almost dead last to 35th in the country, matching the national average. About 2 million people, or one-fifth of the state’s population, added their names to the donor registry in the last four years.

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kayak presque isle

Johnson promotes ExpressSOS.com, Recreation Passport at Presque Isle

Secretary of State Ruth Johnson paddled her kayak across Presque Isle State Harbor on July 17 to promote a couple of successful state government programs that millions of Michigan residents use each year.

Johnson, an avid kayaker and outdoor enthusiast, kayaked in northwestern Lake Huron to highlight Secretary of State online services at ExpressSOS.com, which also includes the Print ‘N Go feature that allows most customers to purchase their license plate tabs online and print off a receipt that can be carried until their tabs arrive by mail.

She also promoted the Recreation Passport. The $11 passport offers entry into more than 1,000 state parks, boat launches and trails throughout the state.

Read an Alpena News article and watch a WBKB TV-11 report on the event.

traffic backup

Zipper merge makes lane closures easier

The Michigan Department of Transportation advises motorists to resist merging too early in lane closures and to wait until the defined merge area to get over.

By using the "zipper merge" approach, where cars in each lane alternate at the merge point, traffic moves more smoothly and backups and other complications can be minimized.

Watch a video from the Minnesota Department of Transportation that explains the zipper merge.


historical plates

MI offers historical and authentic plates

Michigan has a long and proud history as the automotive center of the world. Many residents enjoy restoring and collecting vintage autos, trucks and motorcycles. 

Since 1956, the state has issued historic and authentic license plates for antique vehicles used in parades, fairs, car shows, swap meets and other events.

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bike time

MDOS team visits Muskegon Bike Time

Staff from the Secretary of State's Motorcycle Safety Program and the Michigan State Police blanketed the Muskegon Bike Time event with neon bandannas and information about safe motorcycling on July 18 and 19. 

Visitors were also able to renew their motorcycle tabs, register to vote and take care of any other SOS business they may have had, while visiting the Mobile Office.

Learn more about the state's Motorcycle Safety Program.