SOS Express News from Secretary of State Ruth Johnson

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SOS keynotes at MI sheriffs' conference

STOPPED award

Pictured (l to r): Reserve Capt. Rodney Bridgeforth of Van Buren Co., Van Buren Co. Sheriff Dale Gribler, MSA Executive Director Terry Jungel and Secretary Johnson.

Johnson gives updates, STOPPED awards

Secretary of State Ruth Johnson was the keynote speaker at the Michigan Sheriffs' Association (MSA) conference luncheon on Oct. 14 in Lansing and renewed her partnership with one of the state's leading law enforcement organizations.

"In Oakland County where I live, our sheriffs have an incredible presence and I know that’s your trademark across the state," Johnson told the sheriffs and sheriff's representatives in attendance. "As Secretary of State, I want to thank you on behalf of our 10 million residents, for stepping up to serve."

Johnson provided updates on the issue of electronic proof of insurance and the Fighting Auto Insurance Rip-offs (FAIR) task force that she created to crack down on scams in Michigan.

She also presented awards to five sheriff's offices that signed up the most families in the MSA's STOPPED program, which informs parents if their teen driver is pulled over for any reason. Kent, Livingston, Van Buren, Sanilac and Crawford Counties each won their population division. Nearly 30,000 vehicles are currently registered in the program.


Non-U.S. citizens on Michigan voter rolls contacted by state to expedite removal from voter files

More than 600 registered Michigan voters, verified as non-U.S. citizens by federal records, received a notice this month asking them to contact state election officials to be removed from Michigan's voter rolls. And so far, dozens have responded requesting to be removed.

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Secretary of State Ruth Johnson said the notice is part of ongoing efforts to ensure integrity in the state's voter rolls while at the same time protecting non-citizens.

"We have an obligation to deal with this issue, not ignore it, or we are doing a disservice to every legitimate voter in Michigan," Johnson said. "For more than 30 years, our branch clerks were required by the feds to ask every customer, regardless of citizenship, if they wanted to register to vote. We have since changed the procedures but some people remain on the voter rolls."

Some of these individuals registered inadvertently, Johnson said, "but the law is clear – only U.S. citizens may be registered to vote and vote on Election Day."

Read the full press release.

Hear SOS Johnson's interview with WJR's Frank Beckmann


SOS reaches out to senior citizens

Secretary of State staff attended the Southeast Oakland County Senior Salute at the Royal Oak Farmers Market on Oct. 7 and provided hundreds of senior citizens with information about MDOS programs and services. Staff also did outreach at the Western Wayne Senior Celebration Day on Oct. 4 and the Senior Expo in St. Clair Shores on Oct. 10.

Senior fair royal oak

A customer said what?!

At a recent event, one woman said she had a complaint for Secretary of State Ruth Johnson.

She told Johnson that she had sent her husband to their local Secretary of State office, expecting three hours of peace and quiet as he had to renew his driver’s license. However, her husband was back in just 45 minutes.

Johnson smiled and told the customer that the lines at Secretary of State offices were shorter because of the popularity of the department’s online services at ExpressSOS.com.

“Well,” the customer said. “Is there any way you can make the lines longer for husbands?”

Harvest Gathering 2013 art

Harvest Gathering food drive runs through Nov. 27

There’s still plenty of time to stop by your local Secretary of State office and make a donation to the Michigan Harvest Gathering campaign. Between now and Nov. 27, you can drop off canned or boxed goods at any SOS office.

Please check expiration dates on all food before donating, as expired goods are not accepted. If you prefer, you may make a financial donation online. Your neighbors in need thank you for your support!


Vets Stand Down

Veterans Stand Down

Dozens of veterans now have personal identification cards after a two-day Veterans Stand Down in Detroit attended by the Secretary of State Mobile Office.

Mobile Office Manager Pierre Batton says veterans were helped with other transactions during the stop at the Detroit Rescue Mission Banquet Hall on Oct. 10 and 11, including voter registrations and changes of address.

The Mobile Office has attended many veterans’ stand downs in Michigan throughout the year, assisting veterans in getting the documents they need.


Donate life fundraising plate

Donate Life!

Take two minutes to register as an organ donor and you could help save or improve the lives of up to 50 people. You can also show your support for organ, eye and tissue donation with a Donate Life license plate


Know before you go

Michiganians get to flex their electoral muscle on Tuesday, Nov. 5, in the General Election.  Want to get a sneak peak at your ballot? Visit michigan.gov/vote for election information, your voting location, absentee voting and much more.


expressSOS

ExpressSOS is 24/7!

Why be limited by branch office hours and the number of other customers who may be ahead of you in line? Go online 24 hours a day, seven days a week to ExpressSOS.com to renew your tabs, renew or replace your driver's license, change your address and more!


Have a Question?

You'll find many answers online at our Frequently Asked Questions page.

You also can seek help by emailing us via our Contact Page or by calling our customer help line at 888-SOS-MICH (767-6424).