Rhode Island Secretary of State

Rhode Island Secretary of State. The Rhode Island Secretary of State is an elected official in the U.S. state of Rhode Island, responsible for a wide range of duties, including overseeing elections, maintaining public records, and serving as the keeper of the seal for the State of Rhode Island. The office has a long history, dating back to 1663, when John Clarke was appointed as the first Secretary of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. The current Secretary of State is Nellie Gorbea, who has been in office since 2015 and has worked closely with Governor Gina Raimondo and other state officials, including U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and U.S. Representative David Cicilline.

● History of

the Office The office of the Rhode Island Secretary of State has its roots in the Colonial era, when the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations was established in 1636. The first Secretary, John Clarke, was appointed in 1663 and played a key role in the development of the colony, working closely with Roger Williams and other early leaders, including Samuel Gorton and William Coddington. Over the years, the office has evolved to meet the changing needs of the state, with notable Secretaries including Henry Bowen, who served from 1849 to 1851 and was a strong supporter of the Whig Party, and Charles P. Bennett, who served from 1857 to 1859 and was a prominent figure in the American Civil War. The office has also been held by notable women, including Susan Farmer, who served from 1983 to 1987 and was a pioneer for women in politics, and Barbara Leonard, who served as the first female Deputy Secretary of State from 1973 to 1977 and worked closely with Governor Philip Noel.

● Powers and Responsibilities

The Rhode Island Secretary of State has a wide range of powers and responsibilities, including overseeing elections, maintaining public records, and serving as the keeper of the seal for the State of Rhode Island. The Secretary is also responsible for regulating businesses and non-profit organizations in the state, and for maintaining the Rhode Island State Archives, which includes records from the Rhode Island General Assembly, the Rhode Island Supreme Court, and other state agencies, such as the Rhode Island Department of State Police and the Rhode Island Department of Transportation. The Secretary works closely with other state officials, including the Governor of Rhode Island, the Lieutenant Governor of Rhode Island, and the Rhode Island General Assembly, as well as with federal officials, including the Federal Election Commission and the National Archives and Records Administration.

● List of Secretaries of State

The following is a list of some of the notable Secretaries of State who have served in the office: * John Clarke (1663-1668) * William Coddington (1668-1674) * Walter Clarke (1674-1676) * Peleg Sanford (1676-1683) * John Easton (1683-1690) * Henry Bowen (1849-1851) * Charles P. Bennett (1857-1859) * Susan Farmer (1983-1987) * Barbara Leonard (Deputy Secretary, 1973-1977) * Nellie Gorbea (2015-present) Other notable Secretaries include James Y. Smith, who served from 1863 to 1865 and was a strong supporter of the Republican Party, and George H. Utter, who served from 1909 to 1913 and was a prominent figure in the Progressive Party.

● Elections and Term

The Rhode Island Secretary of State is elected to a four-year term, with elections held in November of even-numbered years, such as 2014 and 2018. The Secretary must be a resident of the state and a registered voter, and must meet certain eligibility requirements, as outlined in the Rhode Island Constitution and the Rhode Island General Laws. The election is overseen by the Rhode Island Board of Elections, which is responsible for ensuring the integrity of the electoral process, and is also monitored by the Federal Election Commission and other federal agencies, such as the U.S. Department of Justice.

● Duties and Authorities

The Rhode Island Secretary of State has a wide range of duties and authorities, including: * Overseeing elections and maintaining public records * Regulating businesses and non-profit organizations in the state * Serving as the keeper of the seal for the State of Rhode Island * Maintaining the Rhode Island State Archives * Providing information and services to the public, including voter registration and election results The Secretary also works closely with other state agencies, including the Rhode Island Department of State Police and the Rhode Island Department of Transportation, as well as with federal agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

● Organization and Staff

The Rhode Island Secretary of State is supported by a staff of professionals, including deputy secretaries, assistant secretaries, and other administrative personnel, who work in the Rhode Island State House in Providence, Rhode Island. The office is organized into several divisions, including the Elections Division, the Business Services Division, and the Archives Division, which are responsible for carrying out the various duties and responsibilities of the Secretary, and which work closely with other state agencies, including the Rhode Island General Assembly and the Rhode Island Supreme Court. The Secretary also works closely with the Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns and other local government organizations, such as the City of Providence and the Town of Newport. Category:State secretaries of state in the United States