Second term begins

Secretary Johnson: We will do great things over next 4 years for Michigan

Secretary of State Ruth Johnson was sworn in for a second term on Jan. 1 at the state Capitol in Lansing and looked ahead with optimism in her remarks, saying "I know we will do great things in the next four years."

Johnson said her office will continue to improve customer service and will expand its fight against fraud to protect consumers across the state. "I want to be a part of keeping Michigan moving forward," she said.

Inauguration highlight video

Photo gallery

Michigan reaches historic milestone

More than one half of all adults in MI are now registered as organ donors

Secretary Johnson recently announced that the number of Michigan adults registered as organ, tissue and eye donors has surpassed 50 percent and she credited her staff with helping to bring out the record-breaking growth.

Johnson was joined by partners from Gift of Life Michigan and the Michigan Eye-Bank at the Hamtramck Area PLUS Office on Jan. 13 to thank Secretary of State staff and customers for their continued support of Michigan’s Organ Donor Registry. Other volunteers visited branches statewide to thank staff for their efforts.

“When I first took office, Michigan was near the bottom of the list nationally in terms of organ donors, with only 27 percent of eligible residents signed up, ” Johnson said. “Now, thanks to the hard work of branch staff, volunteers and other passionate advocates, we have reached the national average and registering as a donor has become a cultural norm. Every name means hope for the 3,400 people in Michigan still waiting for a life-saving or life-enhancing transplant.”

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Johnson praises public, SOS staff for feeding Michigan's hungry

Secretary Johnson thanked the public and branch staff for their support of the 2014 Michigan Harvest Gathering campaign.

“Workers at every office stepped up to collect food and funds for their friends and neighbors in need, and our customers were extremely generous,” Johnson said.

Statewide, Secretary of State employees collected more than $7,500 and almost 16,000 pounds of food at branches and office buildings. Additional funds were mailed by customers directly to the Food Bank Council of Michigan. With those donations added in, SOS customers and staff donated a total of over $8,900.

Nominate someone in your community for a Governor's Service Award

The Michigan Community Service Commission is currently accepting nominations for the 2015 Governor's Service Awards, which are given annually to individuals, organizations, and businesses who are committed to service and volunteerism in their communities. Nominations are being accepted in several categories that reflect the diverse nature of volunteers throughout the state. They must be postmarked or electronically submitted by Friday, February 27, 2015. Find out more.

SOS at Auto Show

There is much to see at the North American International Auto Show at Cobo Center in Detroit and the Secretary of State's full-service Mobile Office will be on site during the public show from Saturday, Jan. 17 through Sunday, Jan. 25. Stop by and see us across from the Hall B entrance! (Photo by NAIAS)

SOS offices closed
for MLK Day

Secretary Johnson reminds residents that all branch offices and the Office of the Great Seal will be closed in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 19.

Most people renewing license plates, driver’s licenses and ID cards can do business online at www.ExpressSOS.com or by mail. Easy-to-follow instructions can be found with the renewal notice. Additional services can be done online as well.

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MI-TIME Line service hits 1 million mark

Secretary Johnson announced that more than 1 million customers now have used the new MI-TIME Line service that allows people to make office appointments and hold a place in line using their phones or computers.

The MI-TIME Line service, launched in 10 of the busiest Secretary of State offices, even calls or sends a text message when the customer is about to be called and provides a wait-time estimate. Customers who don't have a mobile phone can come to the office, check in at a special MI-TIME Line kiosk and head out of the office to run errands while they wait.

Customers can also get in line at Michigan.gov/mitimeline.

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New policy director

On Dec. 9, Secretary Johnson announced that Kieran Marion has been hired as director of the department’s Office of Policy Initiatives, a key strategic role in her administration's second term.

Marion, of Grand Ledge, will help Secretary Johnson advance her policies during her second term. As director, he oversees the Office of Government Affairs, which works with the Legislature and the governor’s office on legislative and public policy matters as they relate to the department, and the Office of External Affairs, which facilitates outreach to external groups and constituents.

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