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Minnesota Secretary of State
| Minnesota Secretary of State | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Office Type: | Partisan |
| Office website: | Official Link |
| Term limits: | None |
| Structure | |
| Length of term: | 4 years |
| Authority: | Minnesota Constitution, Article V, Section I the Executive Department |
| Selection Method: | Elected |
| Current Officeholder | |
 | |
| Name: | Mark Ritchie |
| Officeholder Party: | Democratic |
| Assumed office: | January 2, 2007 |
| Compensation: | $90,227 |
| Elections | |
| Next election: | November 4, 2014 |
| Last election: | November 2, 2010 |
| Other Minnesota Executive Offices | |
| Governor • Lieutenant Governor • Secretary of State • Attorney General • Treasurer • Auditor • Commissioner of Education • Agriculture Commissioner • Insurance Commissioner • Natural Resources Commissioner • Labor Commissioner • Public Utilities Commission | |
Contents |
Current officeholder
The current officeholder is Mark Ritchie. He was first elected to the statewide position in 2006 and subsequently won re-election four years later.[1]
Authority
The state Constitution addresses the office of the secretary of state in Article V, the Executive Department.
Under Article V, Section I:
|
The executive department consists of a governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state... |
Qualifications
Here is a list of the standard qualifications necessary under Minnesota State Law in order to be considered for the Office of Secretary of State:
- Must be twenty-one (21) years of age
- Must be a qualified elector in the state of Minnesota
- Must be a legal resident of Minnesota thirty (30) days prior to the general election [2]
Duties
The secretary is the keeper of the Great Seal of the state of Minnesota. The secretary of state is responsible for preserving documents filed with the state, providing certain business services to the public, maintaining the recording of financing statements under the Uniform Commercial Code and administering Safe at Home, an address confidentiality program assisting Minnesotans who fear for their safety such as victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Additionally, the secretary serves as the chief elections officer in Minnesota.
The secretary of state serves as a member on the State Executive Council, State Board of Investment, and the Minnesota Historical Society Executive Board.
Elections
The office of Secretary of State is an elected position with elections held every four years. Elections are held in November and officers assume their duties the following January. There are no term limits.
Electoral history
2006
| 2006 Race for Secretary of State - Democratic Primary [3] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote Percentage | |
| Democratic Party |  Mark Ritchie
|
71.4% | |
| Democratic Party | Dick Franson | 28.6% | |
| Total Votes | 265,457 | ||
| 2006 Race for Secretary of State - General Election [4] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote Percentage | |
| Democratic Party | Mark Ritchie
|
49.1% | |
| Republican Party | Mary Kiffmeyer | 44.2% | |
| Independent | Bruce Kennedy | 3.7% | |
| American Independent Party | Joel Spoonheim | 3.0% | |
| Total Votes | 2,137,643 | ||
2010
Democratic Primary
| 2010 Race for Secretary of State - Democratic Primary [5] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote Percentage | |
| Democratic Party | Mark Ritchie
|
81.8% | |
| Democratic Party | Dick Franson | 18.2% | |
| Total Votes | 389,377 | ||
Republican Primary
- 2010 Race for Secretary of State - Republican Primary
- Dan Severson ran unopposed in this contest
General election
| 2010 Race for Secretary of State - General Election [6] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote Percentage | |
| Democratic Party | Mark Ritchie
|
49.1% | |
| Republican Party | Dan Severson | 45.6% | |
| Independent | Jual Carlson | 5.2% | |
| Write-In | 0.1% | ||
| Total Votes | 2,035,365 | ||
Compensation
- See also: Compensation of state executive officers
Article V, Section 4 of the Minnesota Constitution addresses compensation:
|
...The duties and salaries of the executive officers shall be prescribed by law. |
2012
In 2012, the secretary of state was paid an estimated $90,227. This figure comes from the Council of State Governments.
2010
In 2010, the Minnesota Secretary of State was paid an estimated $90,227 according to the Council of State Governments.[7]
Contact Information
Capitol Address:
180 State Office Building
100 Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
Saint Paul, MN 55155-1299
Business Phone: (651) 296-2803
Elections Phone: (651) 215-1440
Toll Free Phone: (800) 627-3529
Fax: (651) 215-0682
E-mail: secretary.state@state.mn.us
See also
- Mark Ritchie, Minnesota Secretary of State
- Governor of Minnesota
- Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota
- Attorney General of Minnesota
- Minnesota Constitution
External links
- Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State
- Minnesota Secretary of State,"About the office"
- Minnesota Secretary of State,"Duties"
References
- ↑ Minnesota Secretary of State "About" Accessed December 20, 2012
- ↑ Minnesota Secretary of State - Guide for Candidates
- ↑ Minnesota Secretary of State - 2006 Primary Election Results
- ↑ Minnesota Secretary of State - 2006 General Election Results
- ↑ Minnesota Secretary of State - 2010 Secretary of State Primary Election Results
- ↑ Minnesota Secretary of State - 2010 General Elections Results
- ↑ The Council of State Governments,"The Book of States 2010 Table 4.11," retrieved July 3, 2011
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