Secretary of State of West Virginia

Secretary of State of West Virginia is the chief elections officer and chief protocol officer for the U.S. state of West Virginia, responsible for a wide range of duties, including overseeing elections, maintaining public records, and serving as the keeper of the seal for the state, similar to the roles of the Secretary of State of California and the Secretary of State of New York. The office is headquartered in the West Virginia State Capitol building in Charleston, West Virginia, and works closely with other state agencies, such as the West Virginia Legislature and the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals. The Secretary of State also collaborates with federal agencies, including the Federal Election Commission and the National Association of Secretaries of State.

● History of

the Office The office of the Secretary of State of West Virginia was established in 1863, when West Virginia became a state and separated from Virginia, with Jacob B. Jackson serving as the first Secretary of State, following in the footsteps of other notable state founders, such as Abraham Lincoln and Robert E. Lee. The office has undergone several changes over the years, with the addition of new responsibilities, such as overseeing voter registration and maintaining the state's voting systems, similar to the roles of the Secretary of State of Ohio and the Secretary of State of Pennsylvania. The Secretary of State has also played a key role in promoting economic development in the state, working with organizations such as the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce and the West Virginia Development Office, and partnering with neighboring states, including Kentucky, Maryland, and Ohio. Notable Secretaries of State have included A. James Manchin, who later served as a United States Representative from West Virginia's 1st congressional district, and Betty Ireland, who was the first female Secretary of State in West Virginia history, following in the footsteps of other trailblazing women, such as Rosa Parks and Shirley Chisholm.

● Powers and Responsibilities

The Secretary of State of West Virginia has a wide range of powers and responsibilities, including overseeing elections in West Virginia, maintaining public records, and serving as the keeper of the seal for the state, similar to the roles of the Secretary of State of Texas and the Secretary of State of Florida. The office is also responsible for maintaining the state's Uniform Commercial Code and overseeing the formation of business entities in the state, such as corporations and limited liability companies, and working with organizations such as the West Virginia Bar Association and the American Bar Association. The Secretary of State works closely with other state agencies, including the West Virginia State Auditor and the West Virginia State Treasurer, and federal agencies, including the Internal Revenue Service and the Securities and Exchange Commission. The office also provides support for small businesses and entrepreneurs in the state, partnering with organizations such as the Small Business Administration and the National Federation of Independent Business.

● List of Secretaries of State

The following is a list of Secretaries of State of West Virginia, including notable figures such as Granville Davisson Hall, who served as a United States Representative from West Virginia's 1st congressional district, and William S. O'Brien, who later served as a United States Senator from West Virginia, and other notable individuals, such as John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson. Other notable Secretaries of State have included Gaston Caperton, who later served as the Governor of West Virginia, and Joe Manchin, who later served as a United States Senator from West Virginia, following in the footsteps of other notable politicians, such as Robert C. Byrd and Jay Rockefeller. The list includes: * Jacob B. Jackson (1863-1865) * Granville Davisson Hall (1865-1867) * Elijah W. Wilson (1867-1869) * James A. Williamson (1869-1871) * John M. Phelps (1871-1873) * Charles H. Moyer (1873-1875) * William E. Chilton (1875-1877) * Sylvester M. Judy (1877-1881) * Dwight W. Burton (1881-1885) * William E. O'Brien (1885-1889) * William S. O'Brien (1889-1893) * William M.O. Dawson (1893-1897) * Charles T. Pratt (1897-1901) * William M.O. Dawson (1901-1905) * Charles W. Swisher (1905-1909) * William P. Hubbard (1909-1913) * A. Alexander Lilly (1913-1917) * Houston G. Young (1917-1921) * Robert S. Johnston (1921-1925) * Gaston Caperton (1977-1985) * A. James Manchin (1985-2001) * Joe Manchin (2001-2005) * Betty Ireland (2005-2009) * Natalie Tennant (2009-2017) * Mac Warner (2017-present)

● Elections and Term

The Secretary of State of West Virginia is elected to a four-year term, with elections held in November of even-numbered years, following the same schedule as other state and federal elections, including the United States presidential election and the United States Senate election in West Virginia. The office is partisan, with candidates running on the ticket of one of the major political parties, such as the Democratic Party or the Republican Party. The Secretary of State must be at least 25 years old, a resident of West Virginia for at least five years, and a United States citizen, similar to the requirements for other state and federal offices, including the Governor of West Virginia and the United States House of Representatives.

● Duties and Authorities

The Secretary of State of West Virginia has a wide range of duties and authorities, including overseeing elections in West Virginia, maintaining public records, and serving as the keeper of the seal for the state, similar to the roles of the Secretary of State of Illinois and the Secretary of State of Michigan. The office is also responsible for maintaining the state's Uniform Commercial Code and overseeing the formation of business entities in the state, such as corporations and limited liability companies, and working with organizations such as the West Virginia State Bar and the American Bar Association. The Secretary of State works closely with other state agencies, including the West Virginia State Auditor and the West Virginia State Treasurer, and federal agencies, including the Federal Election Commission and the Internal Revenue Service. The office also provides support for small businesses and entrepreneurs in the state, partnering with organizations such as the Small Business Administration and the National Federation of Independent Business.

● Organization and Staff

The Secretary of State of West Virginia is organized into several divisions, including the Elections Division, the Business Division, and the Administrative Division, similar to the organizational structure of other state and federal agencies, including the Federal Election Commission and the United States Department of State. The office has a staff of approximately 50 employees, including attorneys, elections specialists, and administrative support staff, and works closely with other state agencies, including the West Virginia Legislature and the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals. The Secretary of State also collaborates with federal agencies, including the National Association of Secretaries of State and the Federal Election Commission, and partners with organizations such as the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce and the West Virginia Development Office to promote economic development in the state. The office is headquartered in the West Virginia State Capitol building in Charleston, West Virginia, and is led by the Secretary of State, who is assisted by a Deputy Secretary of State and other senior staff members, including the Chief of Staff and the General Counsel.