Broward County Supervisor of Elections’ Office Partners with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services in Registering Naturalized Citizens
FT. LAUDERDALE – The Voter Education Department of the Broward County Supervisor of Elections (SOE) has started a new program in conjunction with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Oakland Park Field Office.
Every Wednesday, starting January 21st, the SOE Voter Education Department will be at the USCIS naturalization ceremonies to provide these new citizens the opportunity to be part of the democratic process by becoming registered voters.
“I am very excited about the new partnership between my office and the office of the Broward County Supervisor of Elections, and I’m sure our customers are thrilled at being able to register to vote immediately after becoming citizens.
The purpose of the new immigration offices in South Florida was to improve service and convenience to the public while developing stronger ties to the local community, and this partnership helps us to fulfill our goals”, stated Oakland Park Field Office Director for the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Katherine Patterson.
The USCIS office opened its doors in Broward County in December 2008.
“As the official Voter Registration Constitutional Office, we believe this is a win-win situation for two governmental agencies in achieving its service to the community” stated Dr. Brenda C. Snipes, Broward County Supervisor of Elections. “This joint effort instills voter confidence in a new voting process that may be quite different from the different countries these new citizens came from. I thank Ms. Patterson and the Oakland Park USCIS office for this opportunity”.
The response from the newly sworn in citizens has been very positive, as the Voter Education Department has already registered 340 New Citizens in the last three weeks.
