Texas Secretary of State

Texas State Executives

Governor • Lieutenant Governor Secretary of State • Attorney General Comptroller • Auditor Education Commissioner Agriculture Commissioner Insurance Commissioner Land Commissioner Workforce Commission Public Utility Commission Railroad Commission

The Texas Secretary of State is an appointed position in the U.S. state of Texas. The secretary of state is appointed by the governor, with confirmation by the Senate. The secretary's duties include: serving as Chief Election Officer for Texas, assisting county election officials, ensuring the uniform application and interpretation of election laws throughout Texas. Additionally, the secretary publishes government rules and regulations and commissions notaries public. The secretary of state is the keeper of the state seal.

Current officeholder

The current officeholder is Hope Andrade.

Authority

Article 4, Section 21 of the Texas Constitution establishes an office of Secretary of State:

There shall be a Secretary of State, who shall be appointed by the Governor, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, and who shall continue in office during the term of service of the Governor.

Qualifications

There are no specific qualifications for this office.

Duties

Article 4, Section 21 of the Texas Constitution defines certain duties of the Secretary of State:

He shall authenticate the publication of the laws, and keep a fair register of all official acts and proceedings of the Governor, and shall, when required, lay the same and all papers, minutes and vouchers relative thereto, before the Legislature, or either House thereof, and shall perform such other duties as may be required of him by law.

Further, Article 4, Section 19 of the Texas Constitution names the Secretary of State as the keeper of the State Seal:

There shall be a Seal of the State which shall be kept by the Secretary of State, and used by him officially under the direction of the Governor.

Divisions

• Elections Division:

The Secretary of State’s Elections Division provides assistance and advice to election officials on the proper conduct of elections.

• Corporations Division:

The Corporations Section is responsible for the receipt, filing and permanent maintenance and retention of documents that create or affect business organizations and non-profit entities.

• Business and Public Filings Division:

The Business and Public Filings Division consists of four different sections that maintain filings and records related to Texas corporations, financial and banking transactions, executive branch commissions, Legislative mandates, and other public organizations.

Appointments

See also: States with gubernatorial term limits, State legislatures with term limits

The Secretary of State for Texas is an appointed statewide position chosen by the governor "with the advice and consent of the Senate." The officer selected for this position serves for the same length of time as that of the governor. There are no term limits for this office. (Texas Constitution, Article IV § 21)

Vacancies

The Texas Secretary of State is appointed by the Governor of Texas. In the event of a vacancy, the governor appoints the replacement with the advice of the Senate.

Compensation

Article 4, Section 21 of the Texas Constitution states that the Secretary of State "shall receive for his services an annual salary in an amount to be fixed by the Legislature." The current annual salary for the Texas Secretary of State is $125,880.

Contact Information

Capitol Address:

Texas Secretary of State
P.O. Box 12887
Austin, Texas 78711-2887

Phone: (512) 463-5600
E-mail: secretary@sos.state.tx.us

See also

• Texas Secretary of State Hope Andrade
• Governor of Texas
• Lieutenant Governor of Texas
• Attorney General of Texas
• Texas Constitution

External links

Suggest a link

• Office of the Texas Secretary of State
• About the office of the Texas Secretary of State