Secretary of state (U.S. state government)

In Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, this official is called the secretary of the commonwealth.

In 38 states, the ultimate responsibility for the conduct of elections, including the enforcement of qualifying rules, oversight of financial regulation and establishment of Election Day procedures falls on the secretary of state.

In at least a half-dozen states, this record keeping authority extends to civil acts, such as marriages, birth certificates, and adoption and divorce decrees.

This includes doctors, plumbers, cosmeticians, general contractors, and, in at least two states, ministers (to perform marriages).

In Nevada, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, the secretary of state must clear anyone who wishes to act as a sports agent for a professional athlete.

While some might regard this as a natural extension of the role as chief elections officer, the secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia, who is not in charge of elections in that state, is nonetheless responsible for regulating lobbying.

In most cases, this is nothing more than the responsibility to affix the state seal upon the governor's proclamation.

However, in Delaware[9] and Nebraska,[10] the secretary of state sits on a board of pardons with the governor, and the secretary of state commands equal authority with the governor in any pardoning decisions that are issued.

Since the early 1980s, many states have increased efforts to develop direct commercial relations with foreign nations.

In Maine and California, in the event of some electoral ties, it is the secretary of state who determines the winner by drawing lots.