Oakland County, Michigan, October 1, 2009 -- A new online service that will remind voters about upcoming elections debuts today at the Oakland County Clerk & Register of Deeds Office, announced Ruth Johnson, Clerk/Register.

"We all lead busy lives but some things are too important to be missed, including your right to celebrate your freedom by voting," said Johnson. "This is sort of an electronic Post-it note - but instead of putting it on your refrigerator; we'll send an email to your home or office reminding you about upcoming elections."

Oakland County voters who want to sign up for the free online service - believed to be one of the first such services offered in the country - may visit the Clerk's homepage at www.oakgov.com/clerkrod and click on the Election Reminder service logo. Voters will be asked to submit their email address.  Once users sign up for the service, the Clerk's office will automatically email a reminder to them two weeks prior to all local, school, state and federal elections so voters can scan the list to see if they have an upcoming election in their area. A second reminder will be sent 24 hours before the election.  The reminder will include a link to the Clerk's Elections website, which provides a lot of valuable election-related information, including:

• A list of candidates and ballot proposals for that election.
• Campaign finance reports listing donations to candidates and political committees.
• A list of local polling locations.
• The link to get results on Election Night with our easy-to-use election reporting system.
• A  link to the state's Voter Information Center which can help voters determine if they are registered to vote, help them find their polling location and view a sample ballot.
• Information on voter registration.
• Information on how to become a poll worker.
• Instructional videos for new voters or voters who may need a little refresher course.

"Sometimes small elections and special elections are not very well publicized and this will be one more way to get the word out," said Johnson, an outspoken opponent against "stealth" elections where elections are minimally advertised and seemingly held at off-times to apparently discourage widespread voter participation.

Johnson said the Election Reminder is aimed at improving voter turnout, but ultimately, it is the responsibility of every voter who chooses to do so to cast their ballot on Election Day. Turnout in recent elections includes:

• 11 percent in the Sept. 15 election for several cities and villages
• 7.27 percent in the Aug. 4 city primary/proposal election
• 8.89 percent in the May 5 election
• 23.4 percent in the Feb. 24 special election regarding an Oxford Community Schools bond proposal
• 72.40 percent in the Nov. 4, 2008 election

 "We hope this service helps ensure that everyone has their voice heard and their vote count on Election Day," Johnson said.