The secretary of state is a statewide office in 47 states and, although duties vary by state, a primary responsibility includes managing and overseeing a state’s elections.
How Are Secretaries of State Selected?
Secretary of state is a statewide office in 47 states and, although duties vary by state, a primary responsibility includes managing and overseeing a state’s elections. Voters in 38 states elect the secretary of state, while the remaining 12 states appoint the secretary of state. Alaska, Hawaii, and Utah do not have a secretary of state position. And Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia call the office the “secretary of the commonwealth.”
Current Partisan Breakdown of Secretaries of State
Currently, there are 26 Republican secretaries of state and 21 Democratic secretaries of state.
States with Secretary of State Elections in 2024
On November 5, 2024, secretary of state seats in 7 states are up for election. Of these seats up for election, 4 seats are currently held by Democrats and 3 seats are currently held by Republicans.
