21 to Buy, Not Supply

New public awareness campaign kicks off

A consortium of public agencies including the Secretary of State’s Office, the Michigan Liquor Control Commission, the Oakland County Health Division and the Royal Oak Community Coalition, launched a public awareness campaign this month called "21 to Buy, Not Supply" to curb underage drinking and drunk driving by educating the 21 and over crowd about the consequences of selling alcohol to minors.

According to traffic safety statistics, drivers younger than 21 years old are more likely to be involved in fatal crashes. The risk is higher if alcohol is involved.

The awareness campaign coincides with the traditional season for college spring break when many students are home and hanging out with younger friends.

The messages underscore the penalties for purchasing alcohol for minors, including $1,000 in fines and possible jail time of up to 90 days.

Watch the Motor Vehicle Network segment

Read the program flyer

SOS launches pilot program with clerks to increase local campaign disclosure

Secretary of State Ruth Johnson recently announced that two county clerks will partner with her to be the first to offer expanded electronic campaign-finance reporting for local candidates and ballot questions.

Johnson, who announced the pilot program in observance of National Sunshine Week earlier this month, will work with Kalamazoo County Clerk Tim Snow and Macomb County Clerk Carmella Sabaugh. The program will give Michigan residents electronic access to campaign finance records as well as the ability to easily search through the reports of local candidates and committees supporting or opposing ballot questions just like they can for state-level candidates and committees. "Government and campaigns work best in the full sunshine of transparency and accountability," said Johnson, the former Oakland County clerk. "Expanding electronic campaign-finance reporting to local candidates lets the sun shine in on the campaigns for local offices, which often have the most direct and frequent contact with Michigan residents. And the best part is we're doing this without forcing county clerks to buy costly new disclosure software." More

Get Perks with an $11 Recreation Passport

When you say YES to the Recreation Passport when renewing your tabs, you don't just get annual access to Port Crescent State Park (pictured) and all other Michigan state parks. You also get nearly 1,200 Passport Perks that can save you money.

Deadline is April 7

Michigan resident have until Monday, April 7, to register to vote in the May 6 election. For more information, visit the Michigan Voter Information Center.

Johnson at Capitol

Secretary of State Johnson gave lawmakers an update on new Department of State initiatives during a budget hearing at the state Capitol on March 18.

Coldwater senior fair

Secretary of State staff was on hand at a senior citizen resource fair at the CHC Community Care & Conference Center in Coldwater on March 21 to distribute information on department programs and services and to answer questions from constituents.