Serve, secure and protect

Johnson highlights department priorities in State of SOS video

The mission of the Michigan Secretary of State’s Office can be summed up in three words, “serve,” “secure” and “protect,” according to Ruth Johnson, elected the state’s 42nd Secretary of State in 2010.

Since taking office, Johnson and her staff have concentrated on positioning her office for the challenges of the 21st century by defining three top priorities: customer service, elections’ integrity and consumer protection. Now, in the final year of her administration, she is releasing a short video summarizing the achievements of the last seven years.

“I’ve spent a lot of time listening to people’s thoughts and concerns with the Secretary of State’s Office,” Johnson said. “I’ve also talked extensively with staff about their vision. We’re focused on a customer-focused agency dedicated to integrity, consumer protection and better service delivery.”

The key priority of Johnson has been to secure the protection and integrity of Michigan’s elections. Johnson has also remained strongly focused on customer service, using technology to provide better, faster services. Her third priority has been shutting down fraudulent activities and protecting consumers. 

“These three top priorities highlight just some of the great work my office is doing,” Johnson said. “And none of it would be possible without tremendous effort by the hundreds of Secretary of State employees who work day-in and day-out to provide top notch service. It is an honor and a pleasure to serve the residents of this great state and I thank them for the opportunity to do so.”

Watch the video

SOS: Driver Responsibility Fee elimination is a great day for drivers

Secretary Johnson expressed her enthusiasm when Gov. Snyder signed legislation on March 2 to fully eliminate Driver Responsibility Fees.

“What a great day for Michigan drivers,” Johnson said. “I want to thank Gov. Snyder, all the lawmakers who voted for this and all the work my staff has put in over the years to get rid of this automatic double-penalty that was hurting hard-working Michigan families. Too many Michigan drivers lost their license because of Driver Responsibility Fees that didn’t promote public safety but did make it harder for people to pick up their kids from school or get to work.” As a state representative in 2003, Johnson voted against Driver Responsibility Fees. As secretary of state, she has pushed for repealing the Driver Responsibility Fee law, successfully advocating that lawmakers eliminate the most common fees in 2011, create a community service option for certain fees in 2015 and begin phasing out all fees. Driver Responsibility Fees are an additional fee automatically charged for various traffic violations, including non-moving violations, on top of regular traffic citation fines and court costs. Unlike traditional court fines and fees in which a judge can take into consideration a driver’s ability to pay and order alternatives, such as payment plans or community service in lieu of payment, the automatically assessed Driver Responsibility Fees cannot be waived or reduced by a judge.

New system launched for easier navigation of license appeal hearings

Secretary Johnson announced on March 2 that procedures required to be completed for a driver’s license appeal hearing have become much more streamlined thanks to technology.

The “Driver Appeal Integrated System” (DAIS), an online application process for driver’s license appeal hearings, is the latest customer service innovation being rolled out by the Michigan Secretary of State’s Office.

The system will help attorneys, prosecutors and law enforcement officers who are part of the administrative hearings process. Driver’s license hearings are scheduled when motorists wish to appeal the denial or revocation of their license.
 
“This new system brings easy access and efficiency to a complex process,” Johnson said. “The new system not only makes the request for a hearing simpler, but it allows staff to securely transfer hearing files, orders and transcripts electronically, which is a great time-saver.”

The new system provides the following advantages:

• Hearing requests, payments, required documents and transcripts are provided and submitted electronically.
  
  
• All hearing notifications, including hearing dates, adjournments, withdrawals and notice of final hearing decisions are sent via email.
  
  
• Circuit court petitions and orders regarding license appeal matters can be handled through the new system.

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Grace period for tabs

Secretary Johnson applauded legislators for passing and Gov. Rick Snyder for recently signing legislation that gives millions of Michigan motorists a 30-day grace period to affix their tab after renewing their vehicle’s registration. The new law becomes effective June 12.

Motorists who renew online receive a receipt that can be shown to law enforcement officers to prove they have renewed their vehicle registration. Additionally, most law enforcement agencies can verify electronically if the vehicle’s plate has been renewed or is expired.

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Online voter reg takes a step forward in MI

Secretary Johnson praised members of the Michigan Senate for passing legislation on March 15 that will provide residents with the accurate and secure option of online voter registration.

“Michigan has the ability to accurately and securely receive registration applications online and authenticate voters against their driver or state ID information on file,” Johnson said. “I commend members of the Senate for working to offer our citizens an easy way to register to vote through the use of modern technology.”

Johnson has worked with legislators to make online voter registration a reality. Throughout her tenure as Secretary of State, she has sought ways to use proven, safe and secure technology to improve and streamline Secretary of State services.

Boaters encouraged to renew online

With nearly 250,000 watercraft registration renewal notices in the mail this month, Secretary Johnson reminds boat owners of the ease and convenience of renewing online at ExpressSOS.com.

“We offer boaters a number of convenient ways to renew their watercraft registration, with the easiest and quickest being our online system ExpressSOS,” Johnson said. “With ExpressSOS.com, you can renew from wherever you have a smartphone or computer. Now, that’s painless!”

Report potholes!

Michigan has a pothole reporting system for state roads (e.g. I-75, M-28, US-23, etc.). Send location info to MDOT for repair. To report other potholes, contact your county or local unit of government.