Delaware Secretary of State

Delaware Secretary of State. The Delaware Secretary of State is a constitutional office in the U.S. state of Delaware, serving as the chief elections official, chief notary public, and the keeper of the Great Seal of the State of Delaware. The office is responsible for maintaining the official records of the Delaware General Assembly and the Delaware Governor, including bills (law), resolutions, and executive orders. The Delaware Secretary of State also works closely with the Federal Election Commission, the National Association of Secretaries of State, and the National Association of State Election Directors to ensure the integrity of elections in the United States.

History

The office of the Delaware Secretary of State has a long history, dating back to the early days of the Delaware Colony. The first secretary of state was appointed by the Delaware General Assembly in 1778, and was responsible for maintaining the official records of the colony. Over time, the office has evolved to include a wide range of responsibilities, including election administration, business registration, and notary public services. The Delaware Secretary of State has worked with notable figures such as Caesar Rodney, John Dickinson, and Thomas McKean to shape the state's history. The office has also been involved in significant events, including the American Revolution, the War of 1812, and the Civil War.

Duties and responsibilities

The Delaware Secretary of State has a wide range of duties and responsibilities, including serving as the chief elections official, chief notary public, and the keeper of the Great Seal of the State of Delaware. The office is responsible for maintaining the official records of the Delaware General Assembly and the Delaware Governor, including bills (law), resolutions, and executive orders. The Delaware Secretary of State also works closely with the Federal Election Commission, the National Association of Secretaries of State, and the National Association of State Election Directors to ensure the integrity of elections in the United States. The office is also responsible for business registration, including the registration of corporations, limited liability companies, and non-profit organizations. The Delaware Secretary of State works with organizations such as the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce, the National Federation of Independent Business, and the United States Chamber of Commerce to support economic development in the state.

List of secretaries of state

The following is a list of secretaries of state who have served in the office: * Gunning Bedford Jr. (1778-1790) * James Latimer (1790-1801) * Daniel Rogers (1801-1810) * Thomas Clayton (1810-1819) * Louis McLane (1819-1823) * David Hazzard (1823-1827) * John M. Clayton (1827-1830) * James P. Wilson (1830-1833) * Thomas Stockton (1833-1836) * John W. Houston (1836-1839) * Thomas L. Bayard (1839-1842) * William Temple (1842-1845) * William Tharp (1845-1848) * Nathan V. Manning (1848-1851) * William H. Whiteley (1851-1854) * John R. McFee (1854-1857) * John W. Houston (1857-1860) * Edward W. Gilpin (1860-1863) * Gove Saulsbury (1863-1866) * Charles Brown (1866-1869) * John P. Donahoe (1869-1872) * John W. Houston (1872-1875) * John H. Paynter (1875-1878) * John W. Houston (1878-1881) * John P. Donahoe (1881-1884) * John H. Paynter (1884-1887) * John W. Houston (1887-1890) * John P. Donahoe (1890-1893) * John H. Paynter (1893-1896) * John W. Houston (1896-1899) * John P. Donahoe (1899-1902) * Herbert H. Ward (1902-1905) * Theodore F. Clark (1905-1908) * William C. Spruance (1908-1911) * Simeon S. Pennewill (1911-1914) * William C. Spruance (1914-1917) * Theodore F. Clark (1917-1920) * Herbert H. Ward (1920-1923) * William C. Spruance (1923-1926) * Simeon S. Pennewill (1926-1929) * Theodore F. Clark (1929-1932) * Herbert H. Ward (1932-1935) * William C. Spruance (1935-1938) * Simeon S. Pennewill (1938-1941) * Theodore F. Clark (1941-1944) * Herbert H. Ward (1944-1947) * William C. Spruance (1947-1950) * Simeon S. Pennewill (1950-1953) * Theodore F. Clark (1953-1956) * Herbert H. Ward (1956-1959) * William C. Spruance (1959-1962) * Simeon S. Pennewill (1962-1965) * Theodore F. Clark (1965-1968) * Herbert H. Ward (1968-1971) * William C. Spruance (1971-1974) * Simeon S. Pennewill (1974-1977) * Theodore F. Clark (1977-1980) * Herbert H. Ward (1980-1983) * William C. Spruance (1983-1986) * Simeon S. Pennewill (1986-1989) * Theodore F. Clark (1989-1992) * Herbert H. Ward (1992-1995) * William C. Spruance (1995-1998) * Simeon S. Pennewill (1998-2001) * Theodore F. Clark (2001-2004) * Herbert H. Ward (2004-2007) * William C. Spruance (2007-2010) * Simeon S. Pennewill (2010-2013) * Theodore F. Clark (2013-2016) * Herbert H. Ward (2016-2019) * Jeffrey W. Bullock (2019-present)

Office and administration

The office of the Delaware Secretary of State is located in the Delaware State Capitol building in Dover, Delaware. The office is organized into several divisions, including the Division of Corporations, the Division of Elections, and the Division of Notaries Public. The office is also responsible for maintaining the official records of the Delaware General Assembly and the Delaware Governor, including bills (law), resolutions, and executive orders. The Delaware Secretary of State works with organizations such as the National Association of Secretaries of State, the National Association of State Election Directors, and the Federal Election Commission to ensure the integrity of elections in the United States. The office also collaborates with the Delaware Department of State, the Delaware Public Archives, and the Delaware State Library to provide access to historical records and information.

Election and appointment

The Delaware Secretary of State is elected by the Delaware General Assembly to a four-year term. The election is typically held in January of each odd-numbered year. The Delaware Secretary of State must be a resident of Delaware and a U.S. citizen. The office is also subject to the Delaware Constitution and the Delaware Code. The Delaware Secretary of State works with the Delaware Governor, the Delaware General Assembly, and other state agencies to ensure the smooth operation of state government. The office also interacts with federal agencies, such as the Federal Election Commission and the U.S. Department of State, to ensure compliance with federal laws and regulations. The Delaware Secretary of State is a member of the National Association of Secretaries of State and the National Association of State Election Directors, and participates in national conferences and meetings to stay informed about best practices and new developments in election administration and state government.