INSIDER
US Coast Guard rescues man who was stranded for 3 days on an island in the Bahamas
Read full article: US Coast Guard rescues man who was stranded for 3 days on an island in the BahamasThe U.S. Coast Guard says it rescued a 64-year-old man whose sailboat became disabled and who spent three days stranded on an island in the Bahamas.
Three Washtenaw County nonprofits to receive $16K from United Way for emergency food efforts
Read full article: Three Washtenaw County nonprofits to receive $16K from United Way for emergency food effortsUnited Way of Washtenaw County is releasing $16,000 in grants to three local nonprofits to supplement recent food shortage efforts.
Michigan SOS Jocelyn Benson defeats Kristina Karamo, wins 2nd term
Read full article: Michigan SOS Jocelyn Benson defeats Kristina Karamo, wins 2nd termIncumbent Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson has defeated Republican opponent Kristina Karamo in the general election, securing a second term in office, the AP projects.
Judge rejects Michigan GOP SOS candidateโs request to disqualify absentee ballots in Detroit
Read full article: Judge rejects Michigan GOP SOS candidateโs request to disqualify absentee ballots in DetroitA judge has rejected a request by Republican Michigan secretary of state candidate Kristina Karamo to disqualify mail-in ballots from Detroit in the Nov. 8 election.
Poll: Where Michigan voters stand on attorney general, secretary of state races
Read full article: Poll: Where Michigan voters stand on attorney general, secretary of state racesDemocratic incumbents for the offices of Michigan Attorney General and Michigan Secretary of State continue to hold leads against their Republican opponents, according to a new WDIV/Detroit News poll.
Michigan Secretary of State encourages organ donor registration for National Donate Life Month
Read full article: Michigan Secretary of State encourages organ donor registration for National Donate Life MonthMichigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson teamed up with nonprofit โGift of Life Michiganโ on Wednesday to talk about National Donate Life Month.
4 Ann Arbor area nonprofits to support on Giving Tuesday
Read full article: 4 Ann Arbor area nonprofits to support on Giving TuesdayThe difficulties of both 2020 and 2021 showed just how much the Ann Arbor area relies on nonprofit organizations and charities to take care of our most vulnerable populations. Here are four nonprofits to support this Giving Tuesday.
โItโs about timeโ: LGBTQ+ community applauds new non-binary option for MI IDs, driver licenses
Read full article: โItโs about timeโ: LGBTQ+ community applauds new non-binary option for MI IDs, driver licensesStarting Nov. 10 there is going to be a non-binary option for Michiganโs driverโs licenses and state ID cards. Some in the LGBTQ+ community are very supportive of this change.
Michigan secretary of state adds 350K appointments, ramps up operations
Read full article: Michigan secretary of state adds 350K appointments, ramps up operationsMichiganโs secretary of state offices are ramping up operations to help serve more residents over the next several months, according to Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson.
Benson seeks $25M to address backlog at SOS branch offices
Read full article: Benson seeks $25M to address backlog at SOS branch officesSecretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Democratic lawmakers want $25 million to hire more staff and pay overtime to expand appointments and hours at branch offices facing a backlog of transactions due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Demand for appointments at Michigan SOS offices high as extension on renewing IDs set to expire
Read full article: Demand for appointments at Michigan SOS offices high as extension on renewing IDs set to expireAs you will see the demand is high because we are approaching a significant date and many may have been procrastinating. The demand is so high for appointments at the SOS that some people are selling their appointment times on the Facebook Marketplace. Avoid paying for an appointment because getting one is not as hard as it seems. To make an appointment visit the SOS website by clicking here. If you are concerned about getting an appointment remember there are thousands of next day appointments available online every single day, there are 130 branch offices, website options and self-service stations.
Michigan Secretary of State system upgrade takes effect today
Read full article: Michigan Secretary of State system upgrade takes effect todayThe Michigan Secretary of State (SOS) has undergone what it calls a โmajor technology upgradeโ to its services system. Online services, self-service stations and the branch office appointment system are back as of 9 a.m. Tuesday, March 16 after going offline for a few days to prepare the upgrade. NOTE: The system has been struggling to work Tuesday, likely due to an influx of web traffic. Once system upgrades are ready (9 a.m. March 16), new online services at Michigan.gov/SOS will include:AdRenew or replace an enhanced driverโs license or state ID if no new photo is required -- You may renew your driverโs license or enhanced driverโs license online through You may renew your driverโs license or enhanced driverโs license online through e-Services if you are a U.S. citizen and your last renewal was completed at a Secretary of State office. View the status of the requested driverโs license or state IDRequest and obtain a driving recordAdd a motorcycle endorsement to an eligible driverโs licenseAccess streamlined business servicesThe SOS said in addition to the services already offered at self-service stations, new transactions will include:Renew a standard or enhanced driverโs license or state ID if no new photo is requiredRequest a replacement and print out a temporary license or IDAdd a motorcycle endorsement to an eligible driverโs licenseSign up on the stateโs organ donor registryIf you have any questions, you can visit the Department of State website at Michigan.gov/SOS, call 888-SOS-MICH (767-6424) or connect with us on our social media accounts.
Michigan Secretary of State system upgrade means some service outages March 11-15, 2021
Read full article: Michigan Secretary of State system upgrade means some service outages March 11-15, 2021The Michigan Secretary of State (SOS) is about to undergo what it calls a โmajor technology upgradeโ to its services system. This will force online services, self-service stations and the branch office appointment system to be unavailable from 5 p.m. Thursday, March 11, until 9 a.m. Tuesday, March 16. Once system upgrades are ready (9 a.m. March 16), new online services at Michigan.gov/SOS will include:AdRenew or replace an enhanced driverโs license or state ID if no new photo is requiredView the status of the requested driverโs license or state IDRequest and obtain a driving recordAdd a motorcycle endorsement to an eligible driverโs licenseAccess streamlined business servicesThe SOS said in addition to the services already offered at self-service stations, new transactions will include:Renew a standard or enhanced driverโs license or state ID if no new photo is requiredRequest a replacement and print out a temporary license or IDAdd a motorcycle endorsement to an eligible driverโs licenseSign up on the stateโs organ donor registryIf you have any questions, you can visit the Department of State website at Michigan.gov/SOS, call 888-SOS-MICH (767-6424) or connect with us on our social media accounts.
Michigan SOS: You will be able to renew enhanced licenses, IDs online by mid-March
Read full article: Michigan SOS: You will be able to renew enhanced licenses, IDs online by mid-MarchThe Michigan Department of State will enable new online services for customers on March 16, 2021. The new system will allow you to do the following online:Renew or replace an enhanced driverโs license or state ID if no new photo requiredView the status of the requested driverโs license or state IDRequest and obtain a driving recordAdd a motorcycle endorsement to an eligible driverโs licenseAccess streamlined business servicesโCustomers will now be able to renew or replace their driverโs licenses and IDs at any of our more than 130 new self-service stations across the state, and renew or replace their enhanced licenses and IDs online,โ said Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. Branch appointments, online and self-service station transactions will be unavailable from 5 p.m. Thursday, March 11 to 9 a.m. Tuesday, March 16 while the system is brought online,โ reads a statement from SOS. AdThe SOS said new self-service station transactions also will include:Renew a standard or enhanced driverโs license or state ID if no new photo requiredRequest a replacement and print out a temporary license or IDAdd a motorcycle endorsement to an eligible driverโs licenseSign up on the stateโs organ donor registryLearn more about Secretary of State services at Michigan.gov/SOS. Dec. 15, 2020: Michigan SOS will expand online, self-service options in March: What to know
Michigan SOS Jocelyn Benson says armed protesters gathered outside her Detroit home
Read full article: Michigan SOS Jocelyn Benson says armed protesters gathered outside her Detroit homeBut the threats of those gathered werenโt actually aimed at me โ or any other elected officials in this state. Their goal is to overturn and upend the results of an election that are clear and unequivocal, and that 5.5 million Michigan citizens participated in. And that job is simple: to defend and protect every Michigan voter, their choice, and their votes. I have spent my career defending and protecting the right to vote of every eligible citizen. I will continue as Michiganโs Secretary of State, proudly protecting and defending every voter and every vote.
Finalized election results in Michigan still on track to be announced Friday, possibly before then
Read full article: Finalized election results in Michigan still on track to be announced Friday, possibly before thenMichigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson provided the update while speaking at a press conference on the ballot counting process this morning. On Election Day Benson noted that it could take up to Friday to process all Michigan ballots as a result of the backlog. Read more: It could take until Friday to process all Michigan ballots due to backlog, SOS estimatesToday she said that the state is still on track to having the results in by then, but they could also possibly be announced much sooner. Benson said over 5 million people in Michigan voted this election. โIt was really encouraging to see yesterday throughout the day over 28,000 eligible citizens registered and voted on Election Day.
Live stream: Michigan Gov. Whitmer, SOS Benson discuss voting in November election
Read full article: Live stream: Michigan Gov. Whitmer, SOS Benson discuss voting in November electionLANSING, Mich. โ Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson are holding a news conference Tuesday to talk about voting in the upcoming presidential election. Whitmer, Benson and Delta Township Clerk Mary Clark will talk about voting opportunities and the Nov. 3 election. Whitmer will also sign legislation to make sure every vote is counted and residents can vote safely during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, officials said. You can watch live in the stream above.
Michigan Secretary of State to offer priority driverโs license, ID appointments
Read full article: Michigan Secretary of State to offer priority driverโs license, ID appointmentsLANSING, Mich. โ Secretary of State offices will offer priority driverโs license and state ID appointments from Oct. 5 through Nov. 2. READ: Grace period ending for expired Michigan driverโs licensesThe appointments will be available from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. They are for Michigan residents who need to get a first-time license or ID, replace one because of loss, or correct one because of a name change. โThese appointments will ensure customers get the new or replacement driverโs license or state ID they may need as soon as possible,โ Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said. Each individual must make a separate appointment to ensure enough time is allotted for service.
3 men rescued from Pacific island after writing SOS in sand
Read full article: 3 men rescued from Pacific island after writing SOS in sandThe men were missing in the Micronesia archipelago east of the Philippines for nearly three days when their "SOS" sign was spotted by searchers on Australian and U.S. aircraft, the Australian defense department said. (Australian Defence Force via AP)WELLINGTON Three men have been rescued from a tiny Pacific island after writing a giant SOS sign in the sand that was spotted from above, authorities say. The men were found about 190 kilometers (118 miles) from where they had set out. The men were found in good condition, and an Australian military helicopter was able to land on the beach and give them food and water. SOS is an internationally recognized distress signal that originates from Morse code.
Michigan Secretary of State offices to reopen by appointment next week
Read full article: Michigan Secretary of State offices to reopen by appointment next weekDETROIT Starting next week, Michigan Secretary of State branch offices are going to reopen. The offices are set to reopen Monday, but only by appointment. Workers will follow strict health and safety protocols, including wearing masks, standing six feet apart, using desk shields and continuously disinfecting shared and common surfaces. Doors will be locked and each branch will have a greeter to let customers with appointments in at scheduled appointment times, officials said. There are more than 130 brach offices across the state.
Michigan Gov. Whitmer again extends expiration of licenses, ID cards, vehicle registrations due to COVID-19
Read full article: Michigan Gov. Whitmer again extends expiration of licenses, ID cards, vehicle registrations due to COVID-19Gretchen Whitmer signed an order Friday again extending the expiration date of licenses, ID cards and vehicle registrations due to coronavirus (COVID-19). According to the order, if your vehicle registration, operatorโs license or chauffeurโs license expired or will expire between Feb. 1 and June 30, you cannot be punished for driving until July 31. Despite this extension, Michiganders should, to the best of their ability, complete a vehicle registration or license renewal form online. Secretary of State branch offices are currently closed, but online services are still available. โBy extending this executive order, weโre lifting that burden off Michigandersโ shoulders so they can focus on staying home and staying safe.โRead the full order below:
Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson touts high voter turnout
Read full article: Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson touts high voter turnoutDETROIT โ Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said she sees nothing wrong with paper ballots and for multiple reasons that she touched on when she sat down with Local 4โฒs Hank Winchester. Benson said the amount of absentee ballots is way up this year. In Michigan, all eligible and registered voters can fill out an absentee ballot without having to provide a reason why. This higher than usual number of absentee ballots could mean election results will be delayed. Benson said that Michigan will not have the same problem as Iowa.
Michigan Secretary of State explains absentee ballot voting, what it means for citizens
Read full article: Michigan Secretary of State explains absentee ballot voting, what it means for citizensDETROIT โ Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson spoke with Detroit City Council about an expected surge in voter participation in 2020, and how many voters will likely vote by mail. In 2018, Michigan voters amended the constitution to give all citizens the right to register to vote through election day and to vote by mail without providing a reason. Benson explained that many voters took advantage of these new rights in elections in 2019, and she expects many more will do so in 2020. The increase in voting by mail presents a challenge for clerks, who are currently barred by state law from processing or counting absentee ballots prior to election day. Benson said she supports the clerks and jurisdictions across the state that would like to see the law changed.