More great things ahead in 2017

Secretary of State Ruth Johnson wishes all Michigan families a wonderful holiday season and a healthy and prosperous New Year. Johnson and her Department of State team plan to achieve more great things in 2017. As always, their focus will remain on reaching new levels of customer service, election integrity, consumer protection and organ donation for the people of Michigan.

Safe driving tips for winter

The Department of State and the Michigan Sheriffs' Association recommend the following tips to keep you and your family safe while driving in winter weather:

No matter the season, drinking and driving is dangerous and illegal. Make sure your vehicle is in good working order. Keep an emergency kit ready in your vehicle. To avoid slipping off the roadway, drive more slowly and give yourself more room to stop. Let other people know your travel plans so if you don't arrive they'll know where to start looking. Make sure your vehicle has fresh air if you become stuck by checking the exhaust system to see if it's plugged by snow. Check the news for weather reports or visit weather sites such as www.weather.gov.

See the full list of tips

Electoral College formalizes MI election

The Michigan Electoral College voted unanimously at the State Capitol on Dec. 19 to formalize the state's 16 electoral votes for President-Elect Donald J. Trump. That action finalized Michigan's presidential election and followed a partial recount of the vote, which was halted by a federal judge on Dec. 7.

Election results

Recount results

New SVSU plate is now available

Students, grads and other supporters of Saginaw Valley State University can now order the new SVSU plate, which features the school's cardinal mascot.

When you buy one of these fundraising plates, $25 of the $35 purchase fee is given to the university. Order yours today and show your SVSU pride wherever you go! 

Other university plates are also available.

SOS offices closed;
ExpressSOS open 24/7

Secretary of State Ruth Johnson reminds residents that all SOS offices will be closed in observance of the Christmas and New Year’s holidays.

Most people renewing license plates, driver’s licenses and ID cards can instead hop online to ExpressSOS.com. 

The Print ‘N Go feature allows you to complete your transaction and print off a receipt for use until your tabs, license or ID card arrives in the mail. Additional services can be done online as well.

The closures include Friday, Dec. 23 (SUPER!Centers will be closed on Saturday, Dec. 24) and Monday, Dec. 26 for Christmas. Additionally, all offices will be closed Friday, Dec. 30, (SUPER!Centers will be closed on Saturday, Dec. 31) and Monday, Jan. 2 for New Year’s.

License plate tabs can also be renewed at Self-Service Stations, many of which are available around the clock.

Chief Justice favors innovation like MI-TIME Line for jury process

Chief Justice Robert Young Jr. of the Michigan Supreme Court recently said he'd like an innovation similar to the Secretary of State's MI-TIME Line system to make the jury process more efficient for those who are reporting for duty.

MI-TIME Line allows users to get in line by kiosk, phone or computer and then the system notifies them as their turn at the counter approaches. Waiting time in the SOS lobby is greatly reduced.

Read the Free Press article

DNR awards $1.4M in
Rec Passport grants

(From DNR) The Michigan Department of Natural Resources announced on Dec. 20 that a total of 36 communities across the state will share $1,461,500 in Recreation Passport grants.

Funding for this program is derived from sales of the Recreation Passport, the $11 annual pass that grants residents vehicle entry at state parks and recreation areas throughout Michigan. 

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