Naturalization ceremonies offer opportunity for new citizens to register to vote

MAR. 19, 2012

Approximately 250 citizens expected at March event
 

DEARBORN, Mich. Michigan Secretary of State representatives will offer new citizens the opportunity to register to vote after a naturalization ceremony in Dearborn, Secretary of State Ruth Johnson announced today.

The event is Friday, March 23 at Byblos Banquet Hall, 7258 Chase Road at 10 a.m. Approximately 250 new citizens are expected to participate.

"I'm so pleased to be able to offer our newest citizens this opportunity," Johnson said. "I encourage everyone first register to vote and then cast ballots to make their voices heard."

As Michigan's chief election officer, Johnson will have a voter registration table on site for the convenience of the newly sworn citizens. People also may register to vote at their local clerk's office, a Secretary of State branch office or by mail.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Bureau, part of the Department of Homeland Security, is conducting the ceremony, during which residents who want to become citizens take the oath of citizenship and receive their certificate of naturalization. This follows a detailed application process including interviews, fingerprinting and English and civics tests.

For more information about office locations and additional services, visit www.Michigan.gov/SOS. Sign up for the official Secretary of State Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/MichSOS and Facebook updates at www.facebook.com/MichiganSOS.
Customers also may call the Department of State Information Center to speak to a customer-service representative at 888-SOS-MICH (767-6424).

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For media questions, please call Gisgie Dávila Gendreau at 517-373-2520.