With the adoption of the current constitution in 1851 the secretary of state's office was filled by a public statewide election every four years.

[2] To be eligible to serve as secretary of state, a candidate must be a registered voter who is at least 30 years old on the day they take the oath of office.

Should they resign, be impeached, or die in office the governor has the power to appoint a temporary secretary of state to serve until the next general election.

A secretary of state may be reelected any number of times, but may serve no more than eight years in any 12-year period.

[8] The Indiana General Assembly has granted the secretary additional statutory powers to maintain the state's registry of notaries.

The division is statutory and is responsible for enforcing regulations on the purchase, sale, and trade of all security investments in the state.

The division's administrative responsibilities include overseeing the candidate declaration process, certifying election results, and maintaining campaign finance reports.

The commission deals with questions associated with violations of the Indiana election laws, and with the imposition of penalties.

The division is charged with protecting Hoosier investors by bringing enforcement actions against companies and individuals selling securities in violation of Indiana's securities laws and by educating Hoosiers about prudent investing.

Over the past four years, the division has imposed a record amount in fines and penalties against scam artists preying upon unsuspecting Hoosier investors.