Indiana Secretary of State

Indiana Secretary of State is one of the constitutional officers of the U.S. state of Indiana, elected by the voters of the state to a four-year term. The officeholder is Holli Sullivan, who has been serving since 2022. As the chief elections officer, the Indiana Secretary of State works closely with the Indiana General Assembly, Indiana Governor, and other state officials, such as the Indiana Attorney General and Indiana Treasurer of State. The secretary of state also collaborates with federal agencies, including the Federal Election Commission and the U.S. Department of Justice, to ensure the integrity of elections in Indiana.

History

The office of the Indiana Secretary of State was established by the Indiana Constitution in 1816, with Robert A. New serving as the first secretary of state. Over the years, the office has undergone significant changes, with the secretary of state playing a crucial role in the development of Indiana's election laws, including the Indiana Election Code and the National Voter Registration Act of 1993. The secretary of state has also worked closely with other state officials, such as the Indiana Governor, Indiana Lieutenant Governor, and Indiana Auditor of State, to promote economic development and tourism in Indiana, particularly in cities like Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, and South Bend. Additionally, the secretary of state has collaborated with federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Department of State, to facilitate international trade and commerce in Indiana.

Duties and responsibilities

The Indiana Secretary of State is responsible for a wide range of duties, including overseeing elections, maintaining business records, and regulating securities in Indiana. The secretary of state works closely with the Indiana Election Division to ensure the integrity of elections, including the Indiana primary election and the Indiana general election. The officeholder also collaborates with the Indiana Secretary of State's Securities Division to regulate securities and protect investors in Indiana, in accordance with the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Furthermore, the secretary of state maintains records of all business entities in Indiana, including corporations, limited liability companies, and non-profit organizations, and provides information to the public through the Indiana Business Entity Database.

Election and succession

The Indiana Secretary of State is elected by the voters of Indiana to a four-year term, with the election taking place in November of even-numbered years. The officeholder is limited to serving two consecutive terms, in accordance with the Indiana Constitution. In the event of a vacancy, the Indiana Governor appoints a replacement to serve until the next election, in consultation with the Indiana General Assembly and other state officials, such as the Indiana Attorney General and Indiana Treasurer of State. The secretary of state must be a resident of Indiana and a registered voter in the state, and must meet certain eligibility requirements, including being at least 18 years old and a U.S. citizen.

List of officeholders

There have been numerous secretaries of state in Indiana's history, including Joseph G. Marshall, Daniel D. Pratt, and Edgar D. Bush. Other notable officeholders include James M. Gregory, William A. Spurgeon, and Charles W. Clifford. The current secretary of state, Holli Sullivan, was elected in 2022 and is serving a four-year term. Previous secretaries of state have gone on to hold other public offices, including U.S. Representative, U.S. Senator, and Governor of Indiana, such as Richard Lugar, Evan Bayh, and Mitch Daniels.

Recent elections and controversies

In recent years, the office of the Indiana Secretary of State has been involved in several controversies, including allegations of voter suppression and election irregularities. The 2018 Indiana Secretary of State election was highly contested, with Jim Harper and John Schmitz vying for the office. The election was marked by controversy, including allegations of voter fraud and election machine malfunctions, which were investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Department of Justice. The secretary of state has also faced criticism for the state's voter ID laws, which have been challenged in court by organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Despite these challenges, the secretary of state remains committed to ensuring the integrity of elections in Indiana, in collaboration with federal agencies, including the Federal Election Commission and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.