Connecticut Secretary of State
| Connecticut Secretary of State | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Office Type: | Partisan |
| Office website: | Official Link |
| Compensation: | $110,000 |
| 2012-2013 FY Budget: | $8,880,652 |
| Term limits: | None |
| Structure | |
| Length of term: | 4 years |
| Authority: | Connecticut Constitution, Article IV, Section 1 |
| Selection Method: | Elected |
| Current Officeholder(s) | |
| Denise Merrill | |
| Elections | |
| Next election: | November 8, 2022 |
| Last election: | November 6, 2018 |
| Other Connecticut Executive Offices | |
| Governor•Lieutenant Governor•Secretary of State•Attorney General•Treasurer•Comptroller•Commissioner of Education•Agriculture Commissioner•Insurance Commissioner•Energy & Environmental Protection Commissioner•Labor Commissioner•Public Utilities Regulatory Authority | |
The Secretary of the State for Connecticut is designated by the Constitution and General Statutes of Connecticut as the official keeper of a wide array of public records and documents. The office registers and licenses various businesses and commercial lenders, runs the state's elections, officially documents legislation, regulations and other acts of the state government, and responds to more than 600,000 requests for information annually. It also publishes, distributes and sells the State Register and Manual and other publications.
Current officeholder
The current secretary is Democrat Denise Merrill, who was first elected in November 2010 and took office on January 5, 2011. She won re-election in 2014.
Before becoming secretary of the state, Merrill served as a state representative for 17 years, from 1994 to 2011. She was House majority leader from 2008 to 2010 and chair of the House Appropriations Committee from 2005 to 2008. Merrill holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Connecticut and is licensed to practice law in California. She has three children and one grandchild.[1]
Authority
The office of secretary of the state is established in the state Constitution.
Connecticut Constitution, Article IV, Section 1
|
A general election for ... secretary of the state... shall be held on the Tuesday after the first Monday of November, 1966, and quadrennially thereafter. |
Qualifications
There are no specific qualifications for this office.
Elections
Secretaries of the state are elected to four-year terms in federal midterm election years (2006, 2010, 2014, etc.) and take office on the first Wednesday after the first Monday in the January following their election.[2]
General Statutes of Connecticut, 9-146-181
|
At the state election to be held in 1966, and quadrennially thereafter, there shall be elected a Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary, Treasurer, Comptroller and Attorney General to hold their respective offices from the Wednesday following the first Monday of the January next succeeding their election until the Wednesday following the first Monday of the fifth January succeeding their election and until their successors are qualified. |
Term limits
Connecticut state executive officers, including the secretary of the state, does not face term limits.
2018
Connecticut held an election for secretary of state on November 6, 2018. The candidate filing deadline was June 12, 2018.
Vacancies
When a vacancy occurs in the office of secretary, the state legislature votes a replacement into office if it is in session. Otherwise the governor appoints a replacement.[3]
General Statutes of Connecticut, 9-146-213
|
(a) If the office of Secretary of the State or Comptroller becomes vacant, the General Assembly, if in session, shall fill it; but, if the vacancy occurs when the General Assembly is not in session or if the General Assembly fails to make an appointment to fill the vacancy, it shall be filled by the Governor. |
Duties
The secretary of state is responsible for keeping public records and documents, administers aspects of business law "including the approval of all certificates of incorporation, organization and dissolution, as well as annual and biennial reports. Trademarks are registered here as well."[4] The secretary also acts as the state's commissioner of elections and supervises all of Connecticut's local, state and federal-level election contests.
Divisions
Commercial Recording Division
Commercial Recording Division (CRD) files and maintains legally required records showing the formation of and fundamental changes to corporations, limited liability companies, limited liability partnerships, limited partnerships and other businesses. CRD disseminates that information to the general public and the business, banking and legal communities. Transactions relevant to security interests in personal property are perfected by filing statements under the Uniform Commercial Code statutes with the Research and Response unit. These filings protect the holder of the security interest by securing the lien and providing public notice that such interest exists. Trade, service, collective, certification and device marks are granted registration and the division investigates and collects fees and penalties from foreign corporations doing business in Connecticut without authority. The division is also responsible for administering the Address Confidentiality Program (ACP), which provides services to victims of crime.
CRD offers real time access to corporate and UCC (Uniform Commercial Code) documents via the Internet. Anyone who has access to the Internet can go to the Secretary of the State's website and then to CRD's database called "CONCORD." You may obtain names and addresses of corporate officers and directors, business addresses and a listing of all filings made for that business.
The Small and Minority Business Services Unit within CRD has been able to assist over 7,000 entrepreneurs since its inception in March 2000. Several state, federal and municipal agencies participate in order to reach the demographics of small businesses across the state. The project also collaborates with corporate and private entities to build relationships that together assist small enterprises. There are two business showcases each year, which serve as a one-stop opportunity for the business owner. In addition, other business programs include seminars and networking events designed to assist entrepreneurs in achieving their highest potential. Small businesses benefit by participating in all of the events.
Legislation and Elections Administration
Legislation and Elections Administration Division (LEAD) administers, interprets and implements all state and federal laws pertaining to elections, primaries, nominating procedures and the acquisition and exercise of voting rights. The Division encourages and monitors the implementation of the National Voter Registration Act and other voter registration efforts in Connecticut. In conjunction with local Town Clerks and Registrars of Voters, the division provides training for local elected officials. The division, working with local officials, has put into operation a statewide-computerized voter registry system, which complies with the Help America Vote Act.
In addition the division is the official keeper of all acts, orders, grants and resolutions of the General Assembly, receives and maintains legislation, regulations and a wide range of other public documents as required by statute and administers Connecticut’s notary public program.
Information Technology
Information Technology is responsible for the administration, support, development and maintenance of all computer systems and related applications within the agency. It also provides support to the Centralized Voter Registration system, CONCORD (Connecticut Online Commercial Recording Database), the agency website and all E-Government initiatives within the agency.
Management and Support Services
Management and Support Services supports the office in the areas of human resources, affirmative action, fiscal administration, business, revenue depositing, purchasing, data processing and other support services. It also publishes the Connecticut State Register and Manual (the “Blue Book”), maintains the interactive version on the agency website and coordinates its distribution and sales.
Electoral history
2014
| Secretary of State of Connecticut, 2014 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic |  Denise Merrill Incumbent |
51% | 533,543 | |
| Republican | Peter Lumaj | 46.7% | 489,515 | |
| Green | Mike DeRosa | 2.3% | 24,038 | |
| Total Votes | 1,047,096 | |||
| Election results via Connecticut Secretary of State | ||||
2010
General election
| 2010 Race for Secretary of State - General Election[5] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote Percentage | |
| Democratic Party |  Denise Merrill
|
52.9% | |
| Republican Party | Jerry Farrell | 43.8% | |
| Independent | Michael J. Telesca | 1.3% | |
| Green Party | S. Michael DeRosa | 1.2% | |
| Libertarian Party | Ken Mosher | 0.8% | |
| Total Votes | 1,105,203 | ||
Republican Primary
- 2010 Race for Secretary of State - Republican Primary
- Jerry Farrell ran unopposed in this contest
Democratic Primary
| 2010 Race for Secretary of State - Democratic Primary[6] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote Percentage | |
| Democratic Party | Denise Merrill
|
62.9% | |
| Democratic Party | Gerry Garcia | 37.1% | |
| Total Votes | 169,981 | ||
2006
- 2006 Race for Secretary of State - Democratic Primary
- Susan Bysiewicz ran unopposed in this contest
| 2006 Race for Secretary of State - General Election[7] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote Percentage | |
| Democratic Party | Susan Bysiewicz
|
69.8% | |
| Republican Party | Richard J. Abbate | 26.4% | |
| Green Party | S. Michael DeRosa | 1.8% | |
| Libertarian Party | Kenneth F. Mosher | 1.2% | |
| Concerned Citizens | Jean Marie Burness | 0.8% | |
| Total Votes | 1,044,871 | ||
2002
- 2002 Race for Secretary of State - Democratic Primary
- Susan Bysiewicz ran unopposed in this contest
| 2002 Race for Secretary of State - General Election[8] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote Percentage | |
| Democratic Party | Susan Bysiewicz
|
64.2% | |
| Republican Party | Ronald S. San Angelo | 34.3% | |
| Libertarian Party | Darlene H. Nicholas | 1.5% | |
| Total Votes | 952,164 | ||
1998
- 1998 Race for Secretary of State - Democratic Primary
- Susan Bysiewicz ran unopposed in this contest
| 1998 Race for Secretary of State - General Election[9] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote Percentage | |
| Democratic Party | Susan Bysiewicz
|
59.1% | |
| Republican Party | Ben Andrews | 39.8% | |
| Libertarian Party | Kenneth F. Mosher | 1.1% | |
| Total Votes | 899,624 | ||
State budget
- See also: Connecticut state budget and finances
The budget for the in the 2012-2013 Fiscal Year was $8,880,652.[10]
Compensation
- See also: Compensation of state executive officers
The salaries of Connecticut's elected state executives are determined by law as mandated by the Connecticut Constitution.[11] Article IV, Section 7 of the state constitution also requires all changes in salary to take effect following the next election for the affected offices:
| Text of Section 7:
The compensations of the governor and lieutenant-governor shall be established by law, and shall not be varied so as to take effect until after an election, which shall next succeed the passage of the law establishing such compensations.[12] |
2016
In 2016, the secretary of state received a salary of $110,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[13]
2015
In 2015, the secretary of state received a salary of $110,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[14]
2014
In 2014, the secretary received a salary of $110,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[15]
2013
In 2013, the secretary received a salary of $110,000, according to the Council of State Governments.[16]
2012
In 2012, the secretary received a salary of $110,000, according to the Council of State Governments.
Historical officeholders
Note: Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches state official websites for chronological lists of historical officeholders; information for the Connecticut Secretary of State has not yet been added because the information was unavailable on the relevant state official websites, or we are currently in the process of formatting the list for this office. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, please email us.
Recent news
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Contact Information
Capitol Address:
210 Capitol Avenue, Suite 104
Hartford, CT 06106
Phone: (860) 509-6200
Fax: (860) 509-6209
E-mail: susan.bysiewicz@po.state.ct.us
Mailing Address:
Secretary of State
ATTN: Capitol Office
Post Office Box 150470
Hartford, CT 06115-0470
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Connecticut Secretary of State, "Biography of Denise Merrill," accessed July 25, 2011
- ↑ General Statutes of Connecticut, "9-146-181," accessed July 25, 2011
- ↑ General Statutes of Connecticut, "9-146-213," accessed July 25, 2011
- ↑ Connecticut Secretary of State, "About Us," accessed July 25, 2011
- ↑ Connecticut Secretary of State - 2010 General Election Results
- ↑ Connecticut Secretary of State - 2010 Primary Election Results
- ↑ Connecticut Secretary of State - 2006 General Election Results
- ↑ Connecticut Secretary of State - 2002 General Election Results
- ↑ Connecticut Secretary of State - 1998 General Election Results
- ↑ Connecticut Office of Policy and Management Budget Documents, "20132-2013 Biennium Governor's Budget," accessed May 28, 2013
- ↑ Justia, "2012 Connecticut General Statutes," accessed February 20, 2015
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedct - ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2016," accessed August 27, 2016
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2015," accessed August 27, 2016
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed November 14, 2014
- ↑ The Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2013, Table 4.11," accessed February 2, 2014
