Washington Secretary of State

Washington Secretary of State. The Washington Secretary of State is an independently elected constitutional officer within the state government and serves as the chief elections officer. The officeholder oversees a broad portfolio including state archives, corporate registrations, and the state library. As second in the line of gubernatorial succession, the position is a pivotal statewide office with significant administrative responsibilities.

History

The office was established upon Washington Territory's admission to the Union under the Enabling Act of 1889. The first secretary, Allen Weir, was appointed by Governor Elisha P. Ferry before the first popular election. Historically, the office has been held by notable figures such as Victor Aloysius Meyers, who later served as Lieutenant Governor of Washington, and Bruce Chapman, a founder of the Discovery Institute. A significant evolution occurred in 1975 when the Washington State Legislature transferred supervision of the Washington State Department of Licensing to other agencies, refining the secretary's core duties. The office managed the pivotal 2004 Washington gubernatorial election recount between Christine Gregoire and Dino Rossi, a process scrutinized by the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington.

Powers and duties

Constitutional and statutory authority mandates the secretary administers all state and federal elections, including implementing the Washington State Mail-in Voting system and maintaining the statewide voter registration database. The office registers all business entities and nonprofits operating within the state. As the state's archivist, the secretary manages the Washington State Archives and operates the Washington State Library, preserving historical documents like the Washington State Constitution. Additional responsibilities include publishing the Washington State Voters' Pamphlet, certifying the official results of initiatives to the Washington State Legislature, and safeguarding the Great Seal of the State of Washington.

List of officeholders

Since statehood, officeholders have represented various political affiliations, including the Republican, Democratic, and Progressive parties. Longest-serving secretaries include Ralph Munro, a Republican who held the office from 1980 to 2001, and Sam Reed, another Republican serving from 2001 to 2013. The first woman elected to the position was Mona Lee Locke in 2020, though she withdrew before taking office. The current incumbent, Steve Hobbs, a Democrat and former state senator, was appointed by Governor Jay Inslee in 2021 following the death of Kim Wyman, becoming the first Asian American to hold the office.

Elections

The secretary is elected in presidential election years to a four-year term with no term limits, as stipulated in the Washington State Constitution. Candidates are chosen through a top-two primary system, regardless of party affiliation. Recent competitive elections include the 2008 race where Sam Reed defeated Jason Osgood and the 2020 election where Kim Wyman won over Gael Tarleton. The office became vacant in 2021 upon Wyman's appointment to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, triggering the gubernatorial appointment of Steve Hobbs, who subsequently won a special election in 2022 against Julie Anderson.

Office and divisions

The office operates from the Washington State Capitol in Olympia. Key operational divisions include the Elections Division, the Corporations and Charities Division, and the Archives and Records Management Division. The office also oversees the Washington State Library and the Legacy Washington oral history program. Field services are provided through the Office of the Secretary of State's regional branches, which assist with public records requests and notary public commissions. The office's operations are funded through the state's Omnibus Appropriations Act and specific fees for corporate filings.

Category:Washington (state) state secretaries of state Category:Government of Washington (state)