Jocelyn Benson on the Secretary of State opening its new Detroit office

The Secretary of State has opened a new branch office in Detroit’s Midtown neighborhood. Officials announced the new 580 E. Warren Ave. location two weeks ago, saying the branch will provide in-person services from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays — except Wednesdays, when the hours change to 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

It will also including a self-service station for printing tabs, registrations and temporary licenses and IDs that will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The office was opened to address a need for additional services in the area.

“This was an area that particularly was missing services in relation to an increase in population.” — Jocelyn Benson, Secretary of State

Listen: Michigan’s Secretary of State explains how she chose the location of the newest branch office.

Guest

Jocelyn Benson is the Secretary of State for Michigan. She says it was important for her department to look at migration patterns, and where there were gaps, in order to determine where to place the location.

“This was an area that particularly was missing services in relation to an increase in population that has also happened over the last several years,” says Benson. “We developed it and launched it in combination with a mobile Secretary of State office that goes around southeast Michigan to locations like senior centers, foster care facilities, homeless shelters — other places where residents face obstacles getting to our facilities — so they can be served right where they are.”