Michigan SOS Adds 350,000 Appointments To Fix Backlogs

LANSING, MI — Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said branches around the state are adding 350,000 appointments through September with the hopes of alleviating a backlog.

Benson also said the state is adding greeters to branches to help people make appointments while announcing anyone needing a disability placard can be helped immediately.

"It's an extraordinary testament not just to their dedication to the department, but their recognition that having residents schedule their visits ahead of time is a vastly superior way of doing business," Benson said during a news conference Tuesday.

Benson said Tuesday's announcements will help customers while allowing the state to maintain its appointment-based approach to services, something launched after Benson took office but that has been criticized by some.

Benson said half of the 350,000 appointments are available now. The other half will be released every weekday as next day appointments.

"This amounts to more than a 25 percent increase in the number of people the department will serve in the months ahead," Benson said. "It addresses some of the backlogs and we're able to do this after discussions with our frontline workers who are concerned about the chatter here in Lansing to revert back to a broken, take a number system."

Benson's announcement comes amid criticism from Republican lawmakers over the difficulties some have experienced in scheduling appointments at their local secretary of state offices.

On April 6, Benson announced that the secretary of state was keeping its online appointment model.

But online appointments are hard to come by. Many Metro Detroit offices don't have available appointments until August or September, FOX 2 previously reported.

Benson said Tuesday she hopes the recent changes will remedy delays and backlogs.

"We recognize there is value in being able to walk up to a branch and talk with a member of our team," Benson said. "So this month, we will begin placing greeters at dozens of our busiest offices front doors. This will mean if someone walks up to an office, the greeter will meet them, assist them and will tell them if there are any immediate appointments available. If not, they'll assist them in scheduling a time for them to return to the office and be taken care of."