How office affects the voter

Usually, voters think about the responsibility of the Secretary of State's elections division. However, the Secretary of State website reports the following categories affecting voters: Business Services, International Connections, Licensing, Regulations, Records Management.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Secretary of State position carries several responsibilities. The role may be over-simplified by summarizing it as major record keeper. However, the business of an entire state requires many categories beyond that. For example the SoS serves with the Governor and Attorney General to decide on pardons. In the elections division, the SoS keeps track of qualifications of various political positions and keeps track of the “term limits” on members of the Legislature. The SoS works with the Governor and Departments of Economic Development and Agriculture to manage international trade. If the governor vetoes a bill and the Legislature overrides the veto, the SoS puts that bill into the statutes as a law. If the Governor fails to neither sign nor veto a bill, the SoS puts it in the law. The SoS has the power to authorize and keep track of business transactions like deeds, mortgages, powers of attorney. This massive a job means the SoS appoints deputies in each of the divisions, and is responsible for administrating the funds allowed for running the office, for example paying salaries and benefits of employees.

Requirements for the position

Must be a registered voter.

Other information

The Secretary of State candidate must possess integrity, intelligence, administrative skills, discernment for staff selection, awareness of international trade issues, commitment to voter registration and election accuracy, and business sense.

Term of office

Term of office is 4 years, with no term limits.

Partisan?

Candidates are nominated by their party in a primary election.

When election is held

Every four years along with other state officers.

Links

Nebraska State Constitution , Article XVIII, §§ 5, Article IV, §§13, Nebraska Revised Statutes §§ 84-501 through 84-507