Meet Terri Lynn Land

Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land was elected to office in November of 2002. With more than 1.7 million votes, she carried more votes than any other candidate on that year’s ballot, securing her place as Michigan’s top-elected Republican official.

Since taking office on January 1, 2003, Secretary Land has worked to make government services more reliable, user-friendly and efficient. From offering expanded hours to instituting cutting-edge technology in branch offices, the department as a whole has provided services faster, easier and more conveniently than ever before. Such improvements, which also include reducing bricks and mortar expenses across the state, reflect a customer driven-approach while saving taxpayer dollars.

Improving Customer Service

Since taking office in 2003, Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land has worked every day with one goal in mind: improving customer service.  Lines are shorter than ever before, and even more services are available online at www.michigan.gov/sos.

• Traveled to every branch office in Michigan twice – putting more than 40,000 miles on her personal vehicle – to hear firsthand from customers and employees how branch offices are serving customer needs.
• Revolutionized branch office service with PLUS offices and SUPER Centers that offer faster service, expanded & Saturday hours and accept Discover credit cards.
• Moved services like instant title requests out of Lansing and into PLUS offices and SUPER Centers around the state.
• Followed through on 2002 campaign promise to clean up urban areas through more efficient procedures for removing abandoned junk cars.
• Helped disabled motorists guard against identity theft by eliminating the need to print vehicle owner’s full driver’s license number on disability placards.
• Led charge to implement a permanent trailer plate system, which is more cost-effective for customers.
• Updated the “bridge” license plate with a new design reflective of Michigan’s rich agricultural and industrial history.
• Partnered with the disabled community in order to create “The Pump Guide” for drivers with disabilities. The guide shows at a glance which gas stations offer disabled travelers full service at self-service prices.
• Successfully coordinated with the federal government to provide multiple fingerprinting sites in Michigan for hazardous-waste haulers.
• Dedicated resources to help eligible Michigan-based Katrina evacuees obtain driver’s licenses and ID cards.

Enhanced Elections

The keys to a successful democracy are fair and accurate elections.  Terri Lynn Land has worked with local clerks across the state to oversee successful implementation of new elections technology.  As a result, elections today are more accessible and accurate than ever before.

• Led charge to consolidate Michigan’s elections, which saves money, reduces confusion and helps eliminate “stealth elections”.
• Selected a uniform, optical-scan voting equipment standard for Michigan, which modernizes the voting process, ensures consistency, and ensures a verifiable paper trail in the event of a recount.
• Personally met with local election officials in every county to share information about election changes, and address questions and concerns.
• Successfully managed a record turnout of 4.8 million voters (67.5 percent of registered voters) in the November 2004 election.
• Coordinated the purchase of statewide voting equipment designed to allow voters with disabilities to vote independently and in private for the first time in state history.
• Created the “Improving Access for All” program, a partnership with local elections officials and the disability community to use federal dollars to improve physical accessibility of their polling places. 
• Produced videos and publications to help prepare local election officials and voters for changes in the elections process. 
• Launched an ambitious voter outreach program to register new citizens at naturalization ceremonies and universities.

Smart Spending

Secretary Land has treated each taxpayer dollar in her budget as if it were her own. Maximizing resources to provide better customer service has been her hallmark as an administrator.

• Consolidated Secretary of State office space in downtown Lansing, saving $1.3 million annually in rent paid to private owners.
• Leading advocate of the move to cancel the 2004 presidential primary in Michigan, saving nearly $7 million.
• Implemented budget cuts of more than $400,000 for the Secretary of State’s Office immediately upon taking office in January 2003.
• Saves the department almost $300,000 annually in production costs by switching to the same license plate configuration for individually owned pickup trucks, vans and passenger vehicles.
• Modernized SOS branch office structure, resulting in better use of monetary resources and more convenient services for customers.
• As a result of revisions to the notary public law, which Sec. Land supported, printing and mailing costs in the Secretary of State’s Office have been reduced by nearly $30,000 annually.

Expanded Technology

Today’s customers demand – and deserve – world class technology to do business.  That’s why Secretary Land has worked to implement innovative new services across the board.

• Rather than list her name on every branch office in Michigan, Sec. Land opted to include the Secretary of State’s Web address – www.Michigan.gov/sos - on signs, promoting service options available online.
• Oversaw a skyrocketing increase in online renewals - more than 200 percent since taking office in 2002 – resulting in incredible savings to the taxpayer.
• Upgraded internet connections in many branch office locations – resulting in shorter wait times.
• Installed nearly 30 Self-Service Stations across the state.  The ATM-style machines let customers renew tabs with a credit card, and without waiting for service.
• Implemented the online “Plate It Your Way” program, which gives customers the ability to check out personalized plate availability – before heading to a branch office.
• Named one of Government Technology magazine’s “Top 25 Doers, Dreamers and Drivers” for 2005.  The honor is given to those leaders who advance technology’s role in government and society.
• Enhanced the website’s Michigan Voter Information Center, which gives voters information on polling locations, voting requirements, registration status, and contact info for local election officials. 
• Installed magnetic strip readers in all branch offices so employees may retrieve basic information stored on the back of driver’s licenses faster, easier and more accurately, speeding up transaction times.
• Created an online program that gives auto dealers instant access to the status of their dealership applications. 
• Launched an online Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) Program, which lets users conveniently file and receive data at their own computers.
• Unveiled a Branch Office Locator, which lets customers see online where services are available and what times offices are open.

Safe Drivers, Safe Roads

Safe drivers equal safe roads. Secretary Land has initiated programs over the past four years to ensure that our roads and waterways are safer than ever before.

• Appointed an advisory committee to study driver’s education.  As a result of Sec. Land’s leadership, proposed improvements are moving through the Legislature.
• Participates in the “America’s Waterway Watch” program with the U.S. Coast Guard, which encourages boaters and fishermen to be on the lookout for suspicious activity around Michigan’s waterways. 
• Helped publicize Michigan’s change to a .08 blood-alcohol content law.
• Raised public awareness of the Vertical Driver’s License law, designed to keep alcohol and tobacco out of underage hands.
• Devoted additional state resources so that stringent new federal regulations regarding school bus safety could be implemented on time.
• Joined forces with AARP Michigan to promote the organization’s “senior-to-senior” driver safety program.
• Championed new laws strengthening penalties forging or fraudulently using a personal identification card, so they are on par with penalties for misusing driver licenses.
• Added an information security specialist to focus on security-related controls within the Secretary of State’s Office.

Serving our Communities

Secretary Land’s role as a leader is not confined to her official duties – it extends into our communities.  Since taking office, she has worked tirelessly with local citizens to help establish Michigan as a great place to work, raise a family and do business.

• Surpassed goal of obtaining 1 million names on Michigan’s Organ Donor Registry, and has created the “Shining Star” award to recognize those who have excelled in promoting the cause of organ donor awareness.  Also sponsors annual “Buddy Day” events where organ donors and recipients visit Secretary of State branch offices to promote the importance of registering.
  
• Partners with the City of Detroit in the annual Angel’s Night campaign, an effort to prevent vandalism the night before Halloween.  Branch offices in the area display posters, provide information and help recruit volunteers.
  
• Under Sec. Land’s leadership, branch offices collect food items longer before donating them to charity during the holiday season, as part of the annual Harvest Gathering food drive.
  
• Oversees sales of the Great Lakes Protection Fund decal.  The Fund raises money that goes towards public awareness and research of aquatic nuisances.
• Spearheaded the effort to help get rid of junk cars.  New laws allow communities to contract with companies to oversee the removal of abandoned junk cars from public property, and frees up law enforcement to focus on more serious crimes.

“Terri Lynn Land can make Michigan the National Leader.”
– Detroit Free Press, 9/25/2005

“Land is on the right path with her campaign spending reform.”
 – Oakland Press, 4/30/2006
 
“Make Land's proposed campaign reforms law.”
– Detroit News, 4/25/2006

"This award symbolizes strength, vision and innovation."
– Center for Digital Government awards Land for making a positive difference in the advancement of technology for society, 3/14/2006

“Optical Scan System a Boon for Michigan.”
– Kalamazoo Gazette, 8/8/2003

“Secretary of State Going Hi-Tech.”
– The Plymouth Observer, 10/26/2003