Secretary of State customers will have even more ways to avoid an office visit when the first phase of the Customer and Automotive Records System project launches in February, introducing new, secure online services and improving office visits for everyone, Secretary of State Ruth Johnson said.
Ordering or replacing specialty license plates, ordering duplicate plate tabs and renewing snowmobile registrations will be possible for the first time by smartphone, tablet or computer. Existing online services, such as convenient license plate tab renewals, also will be made more customer-friendly on a modern platform that will work for customers each time they use it.
Many of the business and professional licensing transactions the Secretary of State’s Office conducts with auto dealers, repair facilities, mechanics and other providers also will be available online for the first time. Additionally, Self-Service Stations will offer convenient watercraft registration renewals like they already do for license plate tab renewals.
“For too long, Secretary of State service upgrades have been hampered by an antiquated system that badly needs to be replaced,” Johnson said. “That ends this coming February. I’m pleased to say that our extensive computer upgrade project is on time and on budget, and will revolutionize Secretary of State customer service.”
Johnson said her office’s partnership with the information technology contractor FAST Enterprises, with assistance from the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget, has worked well. FAST has launched 15 motor-vehicle systems in 11 states and is the only company nationally that has successfully completed legacy system modernization projects for motor-vehicle agencies in more than one state or Canadian province.
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 Scott Norris, adaptive technology librarian at Michigan's Braille and Talking Book Library, demonstrates a voter assist terminal.
By Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
A demonstration on Oct. 12 of one of the state’s new voter assist terminals for Michigan’s disability community affirms their right to cast a private and independent vote on Election Day, Nov. 6.
The presentation was hosted by LARA’s Bureau of Services for Blind Persons’ Braille and Talking Book Library (BTBL), in partnership with Secretary of State Ruth Johnson, and the Michigan Department of Civil Rights (MDCR).
Watch a video of the demo
“It’s important that every registered voter can exercise their right to vote. I encourage persons who are blind and visually impaired to cast their ballot this election season,” said BSBP Director William Robinson. “I also would like to thank the Secretary of State and local clerks for the accommodations available for all voters.”
Robinson, and Johnson, along with clerks in communities throughout the state want to ensure that members of Michigan's disability community know they can cast a private and independent vote using the same ballot as every other Michigan voter.
“Michigan has made a strong commitment to empowering all citizens to cast a ballot independently and privately,” Johnson said. “I thank all the clerks across the state for the work they do to help ensure polling places are fully accessible for voters with disabilities.”
The new terminals replace the outdated Automark devices and were developed to assist people with all types of disabilities, among many others. Benefits of the new terminals include:
- Detachable devices for voters to make selections more easily.
- Better touchscreen displays that are more readable with higher contrast viewing possible.
- Continual work by the device manufacturers, as part of their contract with the state, to improve the devices for voters with input from the Bureau of Elections and disability advocacy groups.
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