AUGUST 14, 2008

Representatives of Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land will be on hand to offer voter registration to new U.S. citizens during a naturalization ceremony in Detroit on Friday, Aug. 22.

The ceremony is at 10 a.m. at Cobo Center, One Washington Blvd. Approximately 1,000 new Americans will take their citizenship oaths.

"I congratulate our newest citizens on their hard work and dedication," Land said. "Now they have an opportunity to impact the decisions made at every level of government. After all, your vote is your voice, and so I'm pleased to offer opportunities for all residents to register to vote so that their voices are heard on Election Day."

Land, who also serves as Michigan's chief election officer, will have a voter registration table available at the ceremony. People may also register at their local clerk's office, a Secretary of State branch office or by mail.

The ceremony will be conducted by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Bureau, part of the Department of Homeland Security.