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Wisconsin Secretary of State
| Wisconsin Secretary of State | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Office Type: | Partisan |
| Office website: | Official Link |
| 2013 FY Budget: | $513,600 |
| Term limits: | None |
| Structure | |
| Length of term: | 4 years |
| Authority: | Wisconsin State Code, Chapter 14.36 |
| Selection Method: | Elected |
| Current Officeholder | |
 | |
| Name: | Douglas La Follette |
| Officeholder Party: | Democratic |
| Assumed office: | 1983 |
| Compensation: | $68,556 |
| Elections | |
| Next election: | November 4, 2014 |
| Last election: | November 2, 2010 |
| Other Wisconsin Executive Offices | |
| Governor • Lieutenant Governor • Secretary of State • Attorney General • Treasurer • Auditor • Superintendent of Education • Agriculture Commissioner • Insurance Commissioner • Natural Resources Commissioner • Labor Commissioner • Public Service Commission | |
Contents |
Current officeholder
The current secretary of state is Douglas Lafollette.
Authority
The secretary of state's office is authorized by Chapter 14.36 of the Wisconsin state code.[1]
Chapter 14.36:
| Office of secretary of state; creation. There is created an office of the secretary of state under the direction and supervision of the secretary of state. |
Qualifications
While the Wisconsin Constitution does not specify the qualification for the Office of Secretary of State, the secretary is second in line of succession to the governorship. Under Article 5 of the state constitution, the governor must be a United States citizen and qualified elector in Wisconsin.
Elections
According to Article 6 of the state constitution, the secretary of state is elected every four years, in mid-term election years, to a four-year term. In Wisconsin, the secretary of state is elected in 2010, 2014, and 2018.
Vacancies
Chapter 17.19(4) of the Wisconsin state code addresses vacancies in the office of secretary of state. In the event of a vacancy for any reason, the governor shall appoint a successor to serve until a special election can be held. If no such election is held, the appointee holds office for the remainder of the unexpired term. [2]
Duties
Article 6 of the state constitution requires the secretary of state to keep a fair record of the official acts of the legislature and executive department of the state.
The specific duties of the attorney general are outlined in Chapter 14.38 of the Wisconsin state code.
Chapter 14.38 - Duties. The secretary of state shall:
- Record executive acts.
- Affix great seal; register commissions.
- Have custody of books, records, etc.
- Biennial report.
- Keep enrolled laws, etc.
- Compile original laws and resolutions.
- Record fees.
- Furnish certified copies; fees.
- Notices of proposed constitutional amendments and enactments.[3]
Divisions
There are two divisions within the office of the secretary:
- Government Records Division
- Administrative Services Division
State budget
The budget for the Secretary of State's Office in Fiscal Year 2013 was $513,600.[4]
Compensation
- See also: Compensation of state executive officers
In 2012, the Wisconsin Secretary of State was paid an estimated $68,556. This figure comes from the Council of State Governments.
Contact Information
Wisconsin Secretary of State
30 W. Mifflin, 10th Floor
Madison, WI 53703
Mailing address:
P.O. Box 7848
Madison, WI 53707-7848
Phone: (608) 266-8888 (ext 2)
Fax: (608) 266-3159
E-mail: statesec@sos.state.wi.us
See also
- Douglas La Follette, Wisconsin Secretary of State
- Governor of Wisconsin
- Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin
- Attorney General of Wisconsin
- Wisconsin Constitution
External links
References
- ↑ Wisconsin state code "Chapter 14: Constitutional Offices and Interstate Bodies (page 6)," accessed August 25, 2011
- ↑ Wisconsin state code, "Chapter 17: Resignations, vacancies, and removals from office (page 7)," accessed August 25, 2011
- ↑ Wisconsin state code, "Chapter 14: Constitutional Offices and Interstate Bodies (page 6)," accessed August 25, 2011
- ↑ Wisconsin Department of Administration, "2013-15 Executive Budget - Office of the Secretary of State," accessed April 3, 2013
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