Secretary of State of Washington

Last updated
Secretary of State of Washington
Seal of Washington.svg
Steve Hobbs.jpg
Incumbent
Steve Hobbs
since November 22, 2021
Style
Seat Washington State Capitol
Olympia, Washington
Term length Four years, no term limits
Constituting instrument Washington Constitution of 1889: Article II, Section 1; Article III, Sections 1, 3, 4, 10, 12, 15, 17, 18, and 24; Article IV, Sections 3 and 28; Article V, Section 2; Article XXVII, Section 12; and Article XXVIII, Section 1 [1]
Inaugural holderAllan Weir
FormationNovember 11, 1889
(134 years ago) (November 11, 1889)
Salary $134,640 [2]
Website Official page

The secretary of state of Washington is an independently elected constitutional officer in the executive branch of the government of the U.S. state of Washington. Fifteen individuals have held the office of Secretary of State since statehood. The incumbent is Steve Hobbs, a Democrat. [3]

Contents

Qualifications

To hold office as Secretary of State, a person must be a United States citizen registered to vote in the state of Washington, provide a $10,000 surety bond to the state conditioned on faithful execution of the duties of office, and reside in the city of Olympia, Washington, by the time of inauguration. Only the governor, state treasurer and secretary of state are constitutionally required to live in the capital city.

Powers and duties

The secretary of state is in effect the guarantor of the continuity and stability of good government in Washington, with his or her role extending to the certification, filing, and preservation of public records, the supervision of all aspects of state and local elections, and the registration and regulatory oversight of businesses and charities. [4]

Records management

The secretary of state is the keeper of the Seal of Washington as prescribed by the constitution, and as such is responsible for regulating its use and certifying to the official acts of the Legislature and governor. [5] [6] In this role, the secretary of state has additional duties related to the disposition of state honors and records. For example, the secretary of state regulates the use of the Washington State flag and is an ex officio non-voting member on the committees for the Washington Medal of Valor and the Washington Medal of Merit. [7] [8] Similarly, the secretary of state directs and supervises Washington's state archives and state library. The state archives coordinates the preservation and management of public records across government, whereas the state library maintains libraries in correctional and mental health institutions and supports scholarly study of its vast research collections. [9] [10]

Election administration

The Elections Division of the Office of the Secretary of State has general oversight of election administration throughout the state, with individual county auditors being responsible for candidate registration, ballot preparation, polling, and canvassing. [11] The secretary of state exercises this constitutional power, duty, and authority as chief election officer by accrediting the balloting procedures used by each county, certifying the results of elections, verifying petition signatures used to qualify initiatives and referendums, and distributing the state voter's pamphlet and official notice of elections advertisements. [12] Lobbying and campaign finance are separately regulated by the Washington State Public Disclosure Commission. [13]

Business registration

The Corporations Division of the Office of the Secretary of State registers a variety of business associations by virtue of the secretary of state's role as company register, including corporations, cooperatives, limited liability companies, limited liability partnerships, limited partnerships, assumed business names, and trademarks. [14] [15] The secretary also regulates charities and charitable trusts, including registering individuals, organizations and commercial fundraisers involved in charitable solicitations. [16] Unlike in some other states however, the secretary of state is not responsible for commissioning notaries or recording liens or financing statements under the Uniform Commercial Code. Those functions are instead performed by the Washington State Department of Licensing. [17] [18]

Miscellaneous duties

A variety of miscellaneous duties have been assigned to the secretary of state through statute, including coordination of the state's Address Confidentiality Program and administration of the state's workplace giving program, "the Combined Fund Drive". [19] [20] Constitutionally speaking, the Secretary of State is likewise second (behind the lieutenant governor) in the line of succession to the office of Governor of Washington. [21]

List of Washington secretaries of state

The State of Washington has had a total of sixteen secretaries of state: [22]

#ImageNameTermParty
1 Allan Weir 1890–1893Republican
2 James Price 1893–1897Republican
3 Will Jenkins 1897–1901Populist
4 Samuel Nichols.jpg Sam Nichols 1901–1909Republican
5 Ithamar Howell.jpg Ithamar Howell 1909–1920Republican
6 Jay Hinkle 1920–1933Republican
7Ernest Hutchinson1933–1938Democratic
8 Belle Reeves 1938–1948Democratic
9 Earl Coe 1948–1957Democratic
10 President of the Senate Victor A. Meyers.jpg Victor Aloysius Meyers 1957–1965Democratic
11 Lud Kramer 1965–1975Republican
12 Bruce Chapman census.jpg Bruce Chapman 1975–1981Republican
13 Ralph Munro.jpg Ralph Munro 1981–2001Republican
14 Sam Reed - Washington secretary of state (cropped).jpg Sam Reed 2001–2013Republican
15 Kim Wyman (cropped).jpg Kim Wyman 2013–2021Republican
16 Steve Hobbs (cropped).jpg Steve Hobbs 2021–presentDemocratic

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North Carolina Secretary of State</span> Political office in North Carolina, United States

The North Carolina Secretary of State is an elected constitutional officer in the executive branch of the government of the U.S. state of North Carolina, and is fourth in the line of succession to the office of Governor of North Carolina. The secretary maintains the official journal of the North Carolina General Assembly and is responsible for overseeing land records, chartering corporations, and administering some commercial regulations. The incumbent is Elaine Marshall, a Democrat and the first woman elected to the office.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Minnesota Secretary of State</span> Elected political office in Minnesota, United States

The secretary of state of Minnesota is a constitutional officer in the executive branch of government of the U.S. state of Minnesota. Twenty-two individuals have held the office of secretary of state since statehood. The incumbent is Steve Simon, a member of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Certified copy</span> Verified copy of a primary document

A certified copy is a copy of a primary document that has on it an endorsement or certificate that it is a true copy of the primary document. It does not certify that the primary document is genuine, only that it is a true copy of the primary document.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Secretary of state (U.S. state government)</span> Official in the state governments of the United States

The secretary of state is an official in the state governments of 47 of the 50 states of the United States, as well as Puerto Rico and other U.S. possessions. In Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, this official is called the secretary of the commonwealth. In states that have one, the secretary of state is the chief administrative officer of the state and is often the primary custodian of important state records. In the states of Alaska, Hawaii, and Utah, there is no secretary of state; in those states many duties that a secretary of state might normally execute fall within the domain of the lieutenant governor. Like the lieutenant governor, in most states, the secretary of state is in the line of succession to succeed the governor, in most cases immediately behind the lieutenant governor. In three states with no lieutenant governor as well as the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico, the secretary of state is first in the line of succession in the event of a gubernatorial vacancy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Illinois Secretary of State</span> Elected political office in Illinois

The secretary of state of Illinois is one of the six elected executive state offices of the government of Illinois, and one of the 47 secretaries of state in the United States. The Illinois secretary of state keeps the state records, laws, library, and archives, and is the state's corporation registration, vehicle registration and driver licensing authority. The current secretary of state is Alexi Giannoulias, a Democrat who took office in 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia</span>

The secretary of the Commonwealth is a member of the Virginia Governor's Cabinet. The office is currently held by acting secretary Kelly Gee.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Secretary of State of Wisconsin</span> Constitutional officer in the executive branch of the government of the U.S. state of Wisconsin

The secretary of state of Wisconsin is a constitutional officer in the executive branch of the government of the U.S. state of Wisconsin, and is second in the line of succession to the office of governor of Wisconsin. Twenty-nine individuals have held the office of secretary of state, two of whom have held non-consecutive terms. The incumbent is Sarah Godlewski, who was appointed by Governor Tony Evers on March 17, 2023, to replace long-time Secretary of State Doug La Follette.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Secretary of State of Vermont</span>

The secretary of state of Vermont is one of five cabinet-level constitutional officers in the U.S. state of Vermont which are elected every two years. The secretary of state is fourth in the line of succession to the office of Governor of Vermont. The Office of the Secretary of State is located at 128 State St. in Montpelier. Since 2023, the secretary of state has been Sarah Copeland-Hanzas, a Democrat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Secretary of State of Maine</span> Political office in Maine

The secretary of state of Maine is a constitutional officer in the U.S. state of Maine and serves as the head of the Maine Department of State. The Secretary of State performs duties of both a legislative branch as well as an executive branch officer. The role oversees areas that include motor vehicle licensing, state identification, record keeping, and corporate chartering.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Secretary of State of Texas</span> Member of the executive department of the state of Texas

The secretary of state of Texas is one of the six members of the executive department of the State of Texas in the United States. Under the Constitution of Texas, the appointment is made by the governor of Texas, with confirmation by the Texas Senate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Secretary of State of Indiana</span> Constitutional office in Indiana, United States

The Secretary of State of Indiana is one of five constitutional officers originally designated in Indiana's state constitution of 1816. Since 1851, it has been an elected position. The secretary of state oversees four divisions, and is the third highest constitutional office of the state government. The secretary serves as the state's chief election officer, enforces state securities regulations, regulates automobile dealerships in Indiana, and manages the state business services division. The current office holder is Diego Morales.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Secretary of State of South Carolina</span> Elected position

The Secretary of State of South Carolina is an elected constitutional officer in the executive branch of government of the U.S. state of South Carolina. The secretary of state is the chief clerk of state government in South Carolina and is responsible for registering businesses and trademarks, regulating charities, authorizing cable franchises, commissioning notaries public, and serving as the filing office for municipal records..

The secretary of state of Wyoming is the state secretary of state of the U.S. state of Wyoming. It is a constitutional office, established under the Constitution of Wyoming and the secretary of state accedes to the governorship in case of a vacancy. The secretary of state is the keeper of the Great Seal of Wyoming and the state's official record-keeper. When the governor is traveling out-of-state, the secretary of state serves as acting governor. Karen Wheeler served as acting secretary of state following the vacancy of Ed Murray, until the appointment of Edward Buchanan in March, 2018, who himself resigned September 17, 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Secretary of State of Arizona</span> Elected position in the U.S. state of Arizona

The secretary of state of Arizona is an elected position in the U.S. state of Arizona. Since Arizona does not have a lieutenant governor, the secretary stands first in the line of succession to the governorship. The secretary also serves as acting governor whenever the governor is incapacitated or out of state. The secretary is the keeper of the Seal of Arizona and administers oaths of office. The current office holder is Democrat Adrian Fontes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Secretary of State of Mississippi</span>

The Mississippi secretary of state is an officer of Mississippi originally established under the Article IV, §14 of Mississippi Constitution of 1817, and was reestablished under Article V, §133 of the Mississippi Constitution of 1890.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Secretary of State of Nebraska</span> Constitutional officer of the U.S. state of Nebraska

The secretary of state of Nebraska is one of the constitutional officers of the U.S. state of Nebraska. In Nebraska, the secretary of state is elected for a four-year term. Vacancies are filled by appointment by the governor of Nebraska.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Secretary of State of Louisiana</span> Elected constitutional officer of the U.S. state of Louisiana

The secretary of state of Louisiana is one of the elected constitutional officers of the U.S. state of Louisiana and serves as the head of the Louisiana Department of State. The position was created by Article 4, Section 7 of the Louisiana Constitution.

The secretary of state of Montana is one of the elected constitutional officers of executive branch of the U.S. state of Montana.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Secretary of State of New Mexico</span> Constitutional office in New Mexico

The secretary of state of New Mexico is a constitutional officer in the executive branch of government of the U.S. state of New Mexico. Twenty-six individuals have held the office of secretary of state since statehood. Since 1923, every elected New Mexican secretary of state has been a woman. The incumbent is Maggie Toulouse Oliver, a Democrat. Toulouse Oliver's election was forced early due to the resignation of former secretary of state Dianna Duran in October 2015, after criminal charges were filed by the Attorney General's Office alleging Duran converted campaign funds to personal gambling debt.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Secretary of State of West Virginia</span> Elected office, West Virginia state government

The secretary of state of West Virginia is an elected office within the U.S. state of West Virginia state government. The secretary of state is responsible for overseeing the state's election process, including voter registration and election results reporting.

References

  1. ↑ "Constitution of Washington". Office of the Code Reviser. Retrieved September 4, 2021.
  2. ↑ "Salaray Information". Washington Citizens' Commission on Salaries for Elected Officials. Retrieved September 7, 2021.
  3. ↑ Melissa Santos. "Gov. Inslee announces pick for Washington's new Secretary of State". Crosscut. Retrieved November 26, 2021.
  4. ↑ About the Office
  5. ↑ "The Washington State Seal". Washington Office of the Secretary of State. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  6. ↑ "Chapter 43.07, Revised Code of Washington". Washington Office of the Code Reviser. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  7. ↑ "Washington State Flag". Washington Office of the Secretary of State. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  8. ↑ "Medals of Merit & Valor". Washington Office of the Secretary of State. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  9. ↑ "Washington State Archives". Washington Office of the Secretary of State. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  10. ↑ "Washington State Library". Washington Office of the Secretary of State. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  11. ↑ Elections
  12. ↑ Title 29A, Revised Code of Washington
  13. ↑ Washington State Public Disclosure Commission homepage Archived 2008-09-13 at the Wayback Machine
  14. ↑ Washington Secretary of State Corporations Division page
  15. ↑ Comparison of business structures, from the Office of the Washington Secretary of State
  16. ↑ Washington Secretary of State, Charities & Trusts Division
  17. ↑ "Notaries public". Washington State Department of Licensing. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  18. ↑ "UCC-Uniform Commercial Code". Washington State Department of Licensing. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  19. ↑ Washington State Address Confidentiality Program
  20. ↑ Combined Fund Drive
  21. ↑ "Washington State Constitution". Washington State Legislature . Retrieved August 23, 2019.
  22. ↑ "Washington's Secretaries of State - Past and Present". Sos.wa.gov. Retrieved 2012-01-06.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.